In this NHANES dataset analysis, we found that the prevalence of CircS was high, affecting over half of adults in the US. Our study indicated a clear negative correlation between serum α-klotho concentration and CirS. The interaction between α-klotho and alcohol consumption was significant (p = 0.008), meaning alcohol may influence the association between α-klotho and CirS.
CirS is a significant global health concern with substantial detrimental effects on human health. This condition arises from disruptions in the body's internal clock, leading to misalignments between an individual's biological rhythms and their external environment. Such disruptions can result from various factors, including lifestyle choices, work schedules, and environmental changes. The impact of CircS on health is multifaceted. Firstly, CircS has been linked to an increased risk of various metabolic disorders. Studies have shown that circadian rhythm disruption can lead to the development of conditions such as fatty liver, type 2 diabetes, and chronic gastroenteritisby affecting the body's metabolic and inflammatory responses [20]. Furthermore, circadian disruption has been identified as a common public health problem associated with a wide range of diseases, including metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer [21].
α-klotho is a protein that has been increasingly recognized for its significant role in metabolism and its association with various metabolic disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and MetS. In the context of diabetes, klotho has been shown to facilitate insulin release and promote β-cell health in the pancreas, exerting potent anti-diabetic and anti-obesogenic effects [22]. It inhibits insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 signaling, leading to a 'healthy insulin resistance' and beneficial effects on glycolipid metabolism and central energy homeostasis [23], suggesting that α-klotho plays a crucial role in maintaining glucose homeostasis. Regarding hypertension, α-klotho has been implicated in the regulation of blood pressure. It is known to inhibit the renin-angiotensin system, a key player in the development of hypertension [24]. Additionally, each ng/mL increase in Klotho was associated with a decrease in pulse pressure, an indicator of arterial stiffness [25], further highlighting its role in the cardiovascular system. In NAFLD, studies have found an association between low levels of α-klotho and NAFLD, with odds ratios ranging from 0.72 to 0.832. High levels of α-klotho, however, were associated with NAFLD-related fibrosis, indicating a complex relationship between Klotho and the progression of liver disease [26]. MetS is a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. α-klotho has been linked to MetS through its effects on insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress, which are key components of MetS [27]. Beyond its metabolic roles, α-klotho has also been implicated in sleep and depression. There is evidence suggesting that α-klotho might serve as a neurobiological link between depression and dementia through the regulation of oxidative stress [28]. Given that sleep is closely linked to cognitive performance and emotional well-being, it is plausible that α-klotho may indirectly influence sleep through its effects on cognition and mood. For instance, α-klotho's neuroprotective properties could contribute to maintaining healthy sleep patterns by preserving the integrity of neural circuits involved in sleep regulation [29]. In summary, α-klotho may be associated with CirS. Unsurprisingly, our study utilizing clinical data has already demonstrated this association.
To our knowledge, this is the first time when serum α-klotho has been observed as a protective factor for patients with CirS. We innovatively examined the dose-response relationship between log10 (serum α-klotho) and CirS, aiming to identify the optimal control point for serum α-klotho levels. Our study suggest that high serum α-klotho levels may indicate improvement in CirS. Nevertheless, the present study has several limitations. First, we can only observe the correlation between α-klotho and CirS, but not confirm the causal relationship between the two factors in an observational study. Second, while data had been adjusted for the potential confounders in this study, some potential residual confounders could still not be taken into account. Finally, more prospective, longitudinal cohort studies with multiple repetitive sampling are needed to help to support our observations.