Resetting and Entraining Biological Rhythms

Individual differences in the chronotype, an attitude that best expresses the individual circadian preference in behavioral and biological rhythms, have been associated with cardiometabolic risk and gut dysbiosis. Up to now, there are no studies evaluating the association between chronotypes and circulating TMAO concentrations, a predictor of cardiometabolic risk and a useful marker of gut dysbiosis. In this study population (147 females and 100 males), subjects with the morning chronotype had the lowest BMI and waist circumference (p < 0.001), and a better metabolic profile compared to the other chronotypes. In addition, the morning chronotype had the highest adherence to the Mediterranean diet (p < 0.001) and the lowest circulating TMAO concentrations (p < 0.001). After adjusting for BMI and adherence to the Mediterranean diet, the correlation between circulating TMAO concentrations and chronotype score was still kept (r = −0.627, p < 0.001). Using a linear regression analysis, higher chronotype scores were mostly associated with lower circulating TMAO concentrations (β = −0.479, t = −12.08, and p < 0.001). Using a restricted cubic spline analysis, we found that a chronotype score ≥59 (p < 0.001, R2 = −0.824) demonstrated a more significant inverse linear relationship with circulating TMAO concentrations compared with knots <59 (neither chronotype) and <41 (evening chronotype). The current study reported the first evidence that higher circulating TMAO concentrations were associated with the evening chronotype that, in turn, is usually linked to an unhealthy lifestyle mostly characterized by low adherence to the MD.

Download Full-text

Chronothyroidology: Chronobiological Aspects in Thyroid Function and Diseases

Life ◽

10.3390/life11050426 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 426

Author(s):

Giuseppe Bellastella ◽

Maria Ida Maiorino ◽

Lorenzo Scappaticcio ◽

Annamaria De Bellis ◽

Silvia Mercadante ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Function ◽

Biological Rhythms ◽

Cellular Level ◽

Scientific Discipline ◽

Biological Phenomena ◽

Pituitary Thyroid Axis ◽

Circadian Organization ◽

Thyroid Axis ◽

Central Clock ◽

Thyroid Dysfunctions

Chronobiology is the scientific discipline which considers biological phenomena in relation to time, which assumes itself biological identity. Many physiological processes are cyclically regulated by intrinsic clocks and many pathological events show a circadian time-related occurrence. Even the pituitary–thyroid axis is under the control of a central clock, and the hormones of the pituitary–thyroid axis exhibit circadian, ultradian and circannual rhythmicity. This review, after describing briefly the essential principles of chronobiology, will be focused on the results of personal experiences and of other studies on this issue, paying particular attention to those regarding the thyroid implications, appearing in the literature as reviews, metanalyses, original and observational studies until 28 February 2021 and acquired from two databases (Scopus and PubMed). The first input to biological rhythms is given by a central clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which dictates the timing from its hypothalamic site to satellite clocks that contribute in a hierarchical way to regulate the physiological rhythmicity. Disruption of the rhythmic organization can favor the onset of important disorders, including thyroid diseases. Several studies on the interrelationship between thyroid function and circadian rhythmicity demonstrated that thyroid dysfunctions may affect negatively circadian organization, disrupting TSH rhythm. Conversely, alterations of clock machinery may cause important perturbations at the cellular level, which may favor thyroid dysfunctions and also cancer.

Download Full-text

On the modulation and maintenance of hibernation in captive dwarf lemurs

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-84727-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Marina B. Blanco ◽

Lydia K. Greene ◽

Robert Schopler ◽

Cathy V. Williams ◽

Danielle Lynch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Restriction ◽

Metabolic Disorders ◽

Biological Rhythms ◽

Food Ingestion ◽

Ambient Temperatures ◽

In Captivity ◽

In The Wild ◽

Cheirogaleus Medius ◽

Save Energy ◽

Metabolic Strategies

AbstractIn nature, photoperiod signals environmental seasonality and is a strong selective “zeitgeber” that synchronizes biological rhythms. For animals facing seasonal environmental challenges and energetic bottlenecks, daily torpor and hibernation are two metabolic strategies that can save energy. In the wild, the dwarf lemurs of Madagascar are obligate hibernators, hibernating between 3 and 7 months a year. In captivity, however, dwarf lemurs generally express torpor for periods far shorter than the hibernation season in Madagascar. We investigated whether fat-tailed dwarf lemurs (Cheirogaleus medius) housed at the Duke Lemur Center (DLC) could hibernate, by subjecting 8 individuals to husbandry conditions more in accord with those in Madagascar, including alternating photoperiods, low ambient temperatures, and food restriction. All dwarf lemurs displayed daily and multiday torpor bouts, including bouts lasting ~ 11 days. Ambient temperature was the greatest predictor of torpor bout duration, and food ingestion and night length also played a role. Unlike their wild counterparts, who rarely leave their hibernacula and do not feed during hibernation, DLC dwarf lemurs sporadically moved and ate. While demonstrating that captive dwarf lemurs are physiologically capable of hibernation, we argue that facilitating their hibernation serves both husbandry and research goals: first, it enables lemurs to express the biphasic phenotypes (fattening and fat depletion) that are characteristic of their wild conspecifics; second, by “renaturalizing” dwarf lemurs in captivity, they will emerge a better model for understanding both metabolic extremes in primates generally and metabolic disorders in humans specifically.

Download Full-text

Understanding Quantitative Circadian Regulations Are Crucial Towards Advancing Chronotherapy

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells8080883 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. 883 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Debajyoti Chowdhury ◽

Chao Wang ◽

Ai-Ping Lu ◽

Hai-Long Zhu

Keyword(s):

Circadian Rhythms ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Temporal Stability ◽

Biological Rhythms ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Peripheral Tissues ◽

Innovative Strategies ◽

Neural Connections ◽

Core Components ◽

The Brain

Circadian rhythms have a deep impact on most aspects of physiology. In most organisms, especially mammals, the biological rhythms are maintained by the indigenous circadian clockwork around geophysical time (~24-h). These rhythms originate inside cells. Several core components are interconnected through transcriptional/translational feedback loops to generate molecular oscillations. They are tightly controlled over time. Also, they exert temporal controls over many fundamental physiological activities. This helps in coordinating the body’s internal time with the external environments. The mammalian circadian clockwork is composed of a hierarchy of oscillators, which play roles at molecular, cellular, and higher levels. The master oscillation has been found to be developed at the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus in the brain. It acts as the core pacemaker and drives the transmission of the oscillation signals. These signals are distributed across different peripheral tissues through humoral and neural connections. The synchronization among the master oscillator and tissue-specific oscillators offer overall temporal stability to mammals. Recent technological advancements help us to study the circadian rhythms at dynamic scale and systems level. Here, we outline the current understanding of circadian clockwork in terms of molecular mechanisms and interdisciplinary concepts. We have also focused on the importance of the integrative approach to decode several crucial intricacies. This review indicates the emergence of such a comprehensive approach. It will essentially accelerate the circadian research with more innovative strategies, such as developing evidence-based chronotherapeutics to restore de-synchronized circadian rhythms.

Download Full-text

Biological Rhythms in Mental Disorders

Biosimulation in Drug Development ◽

10.1002/9783527622672.ch7 ◽

2008 ◽

pp. 197-231 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hans A. Braun ◽

Svetlana Postnova ◽

Bastian Wollweber ◽

Horst Schneider ◽

Marcus Belke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Disorders ◽

Biological Rhythms

Download Full-text