Table 7 Human studies on NSW and telomeres length and aging
From: Night shift work and breast cancer: from etiopathology to precision risk analysis
NSW Effect | Parameter(s) | Outcome | Year | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Slight shortening of TL, more pronounced in postmenopausal women | Leukocyte relative TL (LTL, blood) | ↓ TL | 2011 | |
Trend toward shorter TL with longer NSW history (not significant) | Peripheral blood leukocyte TL (PBL TL, blood) | ↓ TL (ns) | 2011 | |
Intensive consecutive NSW ( ≥ 4–6 nights for ≥5 yrs) associated with shortened TL and higher BC risk | TL (saliva DNA) | ↓ TL | 2017 | |
NSW associated with higher CRP (systemic inflammation), LTL positively correlated with PTX3 (protective) | LTL (blood), plasma PTX3, CRP | ↑ (PTX3), ↑ CRP → potential ↓ TL | 2017 | |
Cumulative NSW: <12 yrs associated with longer TL, ≥12 yrs with shorter TL | TL (blood) | ↑ ( < 12 yrs), ↓ ( ≥ 12 yrs) | 2019 | |
NSW modifies effect of sleep disturbances on epigenetic ageing | AgeDevGrim and DunedinPACE clocks | ↑ TL (with insomnia/sleep deprivation) | 2025 | |
Prolonged NSW associated with shorter TL; partial reversal after cessation; DNA methylation AA unchanged | TL (blood), DNA methylation-based age acceleration | ↓ TL, no change AA | 2025 |
