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Acute effect of ambient light intensity on glucose and lipid metabolism and appetite in healthy humans and obese patients with type 2 diabetes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 January 2016

R.I. Versteeg ,
D.J. Stenvers ,
E. Fliers ,
M.J. Serlie ,
A. Kalsbeek ,
S.E. la Fleur  and
P.H. Bisschop
R.I. Versteeg
Affiliation:
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
D.J. Stenvers
Affiliation:
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
E. Fliers
Affiliation:
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
M.J. Serlie
Affiliation:
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
A. Kalsbeek
Affiliation:
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands Hypothalamic Integration Mechanisms, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
S.E. la Fleur
Affiliation:
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
P.H. Bisschop
Affiliation:
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Abstract

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Artificial light is ubiquitous in present society. Observational studies show correlations between artificial light exposure, obesity, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia( Reference Fonken, Workman and Walton 1 – Reference Reid, Santostasi and Baron 3 ) and may contribute to the increasing prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the acute effect of light on appetite and glucose and lipid metabolism in humans has never been investigated.

In this randomised cross-over study, 8 healthy lean men and 8 obese men with T2DM were admitted to the clinical research unit twice in balanced order with a one week interval. After a standardised mixed meal in the evening, subjects slept in darkness for 8 hours. In the morning they were exposed to either bright light (4000 lux) or dim light (10 lux) for 5 hours. Subjects consumed a mixed meal 60 minutes after lights on and blood samples were taken and appetite scores were assessed at regular intervals.

In the lean subjects, bright light did not affect glucose concentrations, but increased fasting and postprandial plasma triglycerides compared to dim light (P < 0·05). In patients with T2DM, bright light increased fasting and postprandial glucose and postprandial triglycerides compared to dim light (P < 0·05). Furthermore, postprandial appetite scores, including hunger, satiety, fullness and prospective food consumption, were significantly lower in patients with T2DM under bright light condition (P < 0·05). In both groups, heart rate variability analysis of continuous ECG recordings indicated higher sympathetic activity in the bright light condition.

Our data show that exposure to bright light in the morning increases appetite scores, plasma glucose and triglyceride levels and sympathetic drive in patients with type 2 diabetes. These data support a role for artificial light exposure in derangements of food intake and glycemia in obese patients with T2DM.

References

1. Fonken, LK, Workman, JL, Walton, JC, et al. Light at night increases body mass by shifting the time of food intake. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A . 2010;107(43):18664–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2. Obayashi, K, Saeki, K, Iwamoto, J, et al. Exposure to light at night, nocturnal urinary melatonin excretion, and obesity/dyslipidemia in the elderly: a cross-sectional analysis of the HEIJO-KYO study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab . 2013;98(1):337–44.Google Scholar
3. Reid, KJ, Santostasi, G, Baron, KG, et al. Timing and intensity of light correlate with body weight in adults. PloS one . 2014;9(4):E14.Google Scholar