A study led by scientists from Washington State University and the Northwest Pacific National Laboratory in the United States shows that staying up late, including working night shifts, can disrupt the rhythm of proteins related to blood sugar regulation, energy metabolism, and inflammation in the human body, thereby promoting the development of chronic metabolic diseases. The latest findings provide new clues that staying up late is more likely to suffer from diabetes, obesity and other metabolic disorders. The relevant paper was published in the recently published Journal of Proteomics Research. In the latest study, participants were divided into two groups and simulated working day and night shifts for three days, respectively. Subsequently, the researchers measured their internal biological rhythms without external influence. By regularly extracting and analyzing blood samples, researchers identified proteins present in immune cells in the blood. The results showed that compared to day shift participants, most protein rhythms in the body of night shift participants underwent significant changes. The researchers also observed that the glucose rhythm of night shift participants was almost completely reversed, leading to asynchronous insulin production and sensitivity. Insulin is an important hormone that maintains blood sugar levels within a normal range. Disrupted rhythms can lead to abnormal blood sugar levels, which in turn can damage cells and organs, increasing long-term health risks. Hans Van Donne, senior author of the latest study and professor at Washington State University School of Medicine, pointed out that although more research is needed, existing evidence suggests that disruptions to human rhythms have become apparent in just three days. This shows that it is possible to prevent diabetes and obesity through early intervention, which can also help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke by staying up late. (Lai Xin She)