Greater sensitivity of the circadian system of women to bright light, but not dim-to-moderate light

IF 8.3 1区 医学 Q1 ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
Parisa Vidafar, Elise M. McGlashan, Angus C. Burns, Clare Anderson, Ari Shechter, Steven W. Lockley, Andrew J. K. Phillips, Sean W. Cain
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Abstract

Women typically sleep and wake earlier than men and have been shown to have earlier circadian timing relative to the light/dark cycle that synchronizes the clock. A potential mechanism for earlier timing in women is an altered response of the circadian system to evening light. We characterized individual-level dose–response curves for light-induced melatonin suppression using a within-subjects protocol. Fifty-six participants (29 women, 27 men; aged 18–30 years) were exposed to a range of light illuminances (10, 30, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 2000 lux) using melatonin suppression relative to a dim control (<1 lux) as a marker of light sensitivity. Women were free from hormonal contraception. To examine the potential influence of sex hormones, estradiol and progesterone was examined in women and testosterone was examined in a subset of men. Menstrual phase was monitored using self-reports and estradiol and progesterone levels. Women exhibited significantly greater melatonin suppression than men under the 400-lux and 2000-lux conditions, but not under lower light conditions (10–200 lux). Light sensitivity did not differ by menstrual phase, nor was it associated with levels of estradiol, progesterone, or testosterone, suggesting the sex differences in light sensitivity were not acutely driven by circulating levels of sex hormones. These results suggest that sex differences in circadian timing are not due to differences in the response to dim/moderate light exposures typically experienced in the evening. The finding of increased bright light sensitivity in women suggests that sex differences in circadian timing could plausibly instead be driven by a greater sensitivity to phase-advancing effects of bright morning light.

Abstract Image

女性的昼夜节律系统对强光更敏感,而对中弱光不敏感
女性通常比男性早睡早起,而且相对于使时钟同步的光/暗周期而言,女性的昼夜节律时间更早。女性昼夜节律提前的一个潜在机制是昼夜节律系统对晚间光线的反应发生了改变。我们采用受试者内实验方案,描述了光诱导褪黑激素抑制的个体水平剂量反应曲线。56名参与者(29名女性,27名男性;年龄18-30岁)暴露在一系列光照度(10、30、50、100、200、400和2000勒克斯)下,以相对于昏暗对照(<1勒克斯)的褪黑激素抑制作为光敏感性的标志。妇女没有使用激素避孕。为了检测性激素的潜在影响,对女性进行了雌二醇和孕酮检测,对部分男性进行了睾酮检测。通过自我报告以及雌二醇和孕酮水平来监测月经期。在 400 勒克斯和 2000 勒克斯条件下,女性的褪黑激素抑制明显高于男性,但在较低光照条件下(10-200 勒克斯),女性的褪黑激素抑制并不明显。月经期不同,光敏感性也不同,与雌二醇、孕酮或睾酮水平也无关,这表明光敏感性的性别差异不是由循环中的性激素水平引起的。这些结果表明,昼夜节律时间上的性别差异并不是由于对通常在傍晚出现的微弱/适度光照的反应不同造成的。女性对强光更敏感的发现表明,昼夜节律的性别差异可能是由于女性对早晨强光的相位提前效应更敏感。
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来源期刊
Journal of Pineal Research
Journal of Pineal Research 医学-内分泌学与代谢
CiteScore
17.70
自引率
4.90%
发文量
66
审稿时长
1 months
期刊介绍: The Journal of Pineal Research welcomes original scientific research on the pineal gland and melatonin in vertebrates, as well as the biological functions of melatonin in non-vertebrates, plants, and microorganisms. Criteria for publication include scientific importance, novelty, timeliness, and clarity of presentation. The journal considers experimental data that challenge current thinking and welcomes case reports contributing to understanding the pineal gland and melatonin research. Its aim is to serve researchers in all disciplines related to the pineal gland and melatonin.
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