Metabolic profiling revealed alterations associated with sedentary work in bus drivers

Sedentary behavior in the workplace has emerged as a critical public health concern, with bus drivers representing a high-risk group due to prolonged compulsory sitting. This study aimed to investigate metabolic alterations associated with sedentary work in professional bus drivers compared to active controls. A total of 60 bus drivers and 60 sanitation workers (matched for age, sex, and lifestyle) as controls were enrolled. Fasting serum samples of the subjects were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) for metabolomic profiling. Demographic data and biochemical parameters were also collected. Metabolomic analysis identified 322 metabolites, with 57 differential metabolites (52 up-regulated and 5 down-regulated) in the bus drivers relative to the controls, based on criteria of variable important for the projection value (VIP) ≥ 1, fold change ≥ 1.2 or ≤ 0.83, and P < 0.05. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed significant perturbations in metabolic pathways, including valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis; 2-oxocarboxylic acid metabolism; and biosynthesis of amino acids. Additionally, biochemical analysis showed higher triglyceride levels in the bus drivers (P = 0.037). These findings highlight distinct metabolic signatures associated with prolonged sedentary work in bus drivers, providing insights into potential mechanisms linking occupational sedentary behavior to adverse health outcomes.