How clock-watching lifestyle affects fats, blood vessels, and insulin in night-shift workers
Official title: Impact of circulating and tissue-specific lipids on vascular function and insulin sensitivity in chronic night shift workers
Funded at Colorado State University · NIH-11518622 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how being awake and active at night changes lipids in the blood and muscle and what that means for blood vessel function and insulin in adults who work night shifts.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Collins, United States) |
| Project start | February 5, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $197,274 |
| NIH project number | 3R01HL168081-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11518622 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with shift-work schedules or circadian disruption who are at risk for insulin resistance or metabolic disease.
✕Less likely to help
People without circadian disruption or metabolic risk may not experience direct benefits from this study.
What this research studies
If you work nights and keep a schedule that clashes with your body's internal clock, this research will explore how these timing issues change fats in the blood and in muscle, and how that might affect blood vessel health and insulin sensitivity. The project will measure lipid levels, vascular function, and insulin signaling in adults to understand the link between circadian disruption and cardiometabolic risk. By focusing on lipids like 1,2-diacylglycerols and ceramides, researchers aim to identify targets that could improve health for shift workers. Participants may contribute by providing blood samples, possibly muscle tissue, and information about sleep and activity patterns. Results could guide strategies to reduce heart and diabetes risk for people with irregular work hours.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could lead to better recommendations for shift workers to protect heart and metabolic health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research supports links between circadian disruption, lipid changes, and insulin signaling, but this study further targets specific lipids and vascular outcomes in shift workers.
Where this research is happening
-
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Broussard, Josiane — Colorado State University
- Study coordinator: Broussard, Josiane
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.