The Effects of Red and Blue Lights on Circadian Variations in Cortisol, Alpha Amylase, and Melatonin
The primary purpose of the present study was to expand our understanding of the impact of light exposures on the endocrine and autonomic systems as measured by acute cortisol, alpha amylase, and melatonin responses. We utilized exposures from narrowband long-wavelength (red) and from narrow-band sho...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2010-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Endocrinology |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2010/829351 |
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| author | Mariana G. Figueiro Mark S. Rea |
| author_facet | Mariana G. Figueiro Mark S. Rea |
| author_sort | Mariana G. Figueiro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The primary purpose of the present study was to expand our understanding of the impact of light exposures on the endocrine and autonomic systems as measured by acute cortisol, alpha amylase, and melatonin responses. We utilized exposures from narrowband long-wavelength (red) and from narrow-band short-wavelength (blue) lights to more precisely understand the role of the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) in these responses. In a within-subjects experimental design, twelve subjects periodically received one-hour corneal exposures of 40 lux from the blue or from the red lights while continuously awake for 27 hours. Results showed-that, as expected, only the blue light reduced nocturnal melatonin. In contrast, both blue and red lights affected cortisol levels and, although less clear, alpha amylase levels as well. The present data bring into question whether the nonvisual pathway mediating nocturnal melatonin suppression is the same as that mediating other responses to light exhibited by the endocrine and the autonomic nervous systems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eaf5e223badd44a6ba181f908f000744 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1687-8337 1687-8345 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2010-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Endocrinology |
| spelling | doaj-art-eaf5e223badd44a6ba181f908f0007442025-02-03T01:22:24ZengWileyInternational Journal of Endocrinology1687-83371687-83452010-01-01201010.1155/2010/829351829351The Effects of Red and Blue Lights on Circadian Variations in Cortisol, Alpha Amylase, and MelatoninMariana G. Figueiro0Mark S. Rea1Lighting Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 21 Union Street, 3rd Floor, Troy, New York, NY 12180, USALighting Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 21 Union Street, 3rd Floor, Troy, New York, NY 12180, USAThe primary purpose of the present study was to expand our understanding of the impact of light exposures on the endocrine and autonomic systems as measured by acute cortisol, alpha amylase, and melatonin responses. We utilized exposures from narrowband long-wavelength (red) and from narrow-band short-wavelength (blue) lights to more precisely understand the role of the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) in these responses. In a within-subjects experimental design, twelve subjects periodically received one-hour corneal exposures of 40 lux from the blue or from the red lights while continuously awake for 27 hours. Results showed-that, as expected, only the blue light reduced nocturnal melatonin. In contrast, both blue and red lights affected cortisol levels and, although less clear, alpha amylase levels as well. The present data bring into question whether the nonvisual pathway mediating nocturnal melatonin suppression is the same as that mediating other responses to light exhibited by the endocrine and the autonomic nervous systems.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2010/829351 |
| spellingShingle | Mariana G. Figueiro Mark S. Rea The Effects of Red and Blue Lights on Circadian Variations in Cortisol, Alpha Amylase, and Melatonin International Journal of Endocrinology |
| title | The Effects of Red and Blue Lights on Circadian Variations in Cortisol, Alpha Amylase, and Melatonin |
| title_full | The Effects of Red and Blue Lights on Circadian Variations in Cortisol, Alpha Amylase, and Melatonin |
| title_fullStr | The Effects of Red and Blue Lights on Circadian Variations in Cortisol, Alpha Amylase, and Melatonin |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Effects of Red and Blue Lights on Circadian Variations in Cortisol, Alpha Amylase, and Melatonin |
| title_short | The Effects of Red and Blue Lights on Circadian Variations in Cortisol, Alpha Amylase, and Melatonin |
| title_sort | effects of red and blue lights on circadian variations in cortisol alpha amylase and melatonin |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2010/829351 |
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