How to fix a broken clock

Influence of night shift work on circadian heart-rate rhythm in nurses: using a Holter electrocardiogram that can be continuously measured for two weeks

The influence of night shift work on circadian heart-rate rhythm was examined in nurses engaged in shift work using a Holter electrocardiogram, continuously measured for two weeks, and cosine periodic regression analysis. We enrolled 11 nurses who were engaged in a two-shift system. The R2 value in the cosine regression curve of heart-rate rhythm (concordance rate), indicating the concordance rate between the actual heart rate over 24 h and the cosine regression curve approximated by the least-squares procedure, was significantly lower in the night shift (0.40 ± 0.15) than in the day shift (0.66 ± 0.19; p<0.001). Moreover, the amplitude was significantly lower and the acrophase was significantly delayed in the night shift. Thus, the circadian heart-rate rhythm was disrupted by the night shift work. Although the heart-rate acrophase recovered during the day and two days after the night shift, the concordance rate and amplitude did not recover, indicating that the influence of night shift work on circadian heart-rate rhythm might persist even two days after the night shift. Based on these results, adequate clinical attention should be paid to how to spend the day and two days after the night shift to correct the circadian heart-rate rhythm disruption caused by night shift work.

Circadian Interventions in Preclinical Models of Huntington's Disease: A Narrative Review

Huntington's Disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by an autosomal-dominant mutation in the huntingtin gene, which manifests with a triad of motor, cognitive and psychiatric declines. Individuals with HD often present with disturbed sleep/wake cycles, but it is still debated whether altered circadian rhythms are intrinsic to its aetiopathology or a consequence. Conversely, it is well established that sleep/wake disturbances, perhaps acting in concert with other pathophysiological mechanisms, worsen the impact of the disease on cognitive and motor functions and are a burden to the patients and their caretakers. Currently, there is no cure to stop the progression of HD, however, preclinical research is providing cementing evidence that restoring the fluctuation of the circadian rhythms can assist in delaying the onset and slowing progression of HD. Here we highlight the application of circadian-based interventions in preclinical models and provide insights into their potential translation in clinical practice. Interventions aimed at improving sleep/wake cycles' synchronization have shown to improve motor and cognitive deficits in HD models. Therefore, a strong support for their suitability to ameliorate HD symptoms in humans emerges from the literature, albeit with gaps in our knowledge on the underlying mechanisms and possible risks associated with their implementation.

Insomnia in Parkinson's Disease: Causes, Consequences, and Therapeutic Approaches

Sleep disorders represent prevalent non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD), affecting over 90% of the PD population. Insomnia, characterized by difficulties in initiating and maintaining sleep, emerges as the most frequently reported sleep disorder in PD, with prevalence rates reported from 27 to 80% across studies. Insomnia not only significantly impacts the quality of life of PD patients but is also associated with cognitive impairment, motor disabilities, and emotional deterioration. This comprehensive review aims to delve into the mechanisms underlying insomnia in PD, including neurodegenerative changes, basal ganglia beta oscillations, and circadian rhythms, to gain insights into the neural pathways involved. Additionally, the review explores the risk factors and comorbidities associated with insomnia in PD, providing valuable insights into its management. Special attention is given to the challenges faced by healthcare providers in delivering care to PD patients and the impact of caregiving roles on patients' quality of life. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of insomnia in PD and highlights the importance of addressing this common sleep disorder in PD patients.

Evaluation of small-molecule modulators of the circadian clock: promising therapeutic approach to cancer

The circadian clock is an important regulator of human homeostasis. Circadian rhythms are closely related to cell fate because they are necessary for regulating the cell cycle, cellular proliferation, and apoptosis. Clock dysfunction can result in the development of diseases such as cancer. Although certain tumors have been shown to have a malfunctioning clock, which may affect prognosis or treatment, this has been postulated but not proven in many types of cancer. Recently, important information has emerged about the basic characteristics that underpin the overt circadian rhythm and its influence on physiological outputs. This information implies that the circadian rhythm may be managed by using particular small molecules. Small-molecule clock modulators target clock components or different physiological pathways that influence the clock. Identifying new small-molecule modulators will improve our understanding of critical regulatory nodes in the circadian network and cancer. Pharmacological manipulation of the clock may be valuable for treating cancer. The discoveries of small-molecule clock modulators and their possible application in cancer treatment are examined in this review.

A circadian clock regulates the blood-brain barrier across phylogeny

As the central regulatory system of an organism, the brain is responsible for overseeing a wide variety of physiological processes essential for an organism's survival. To maintain the environment necessary for neurons to function, the brain requires highly selective uptake and elimination of specific molecules through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). As an organism's activities vary throughout the day, how does the BBB adapt to meet the changing needs of the brain? A mechanism is through temporal regulation of BBB permeability via its circadian clock, which will be the focal point of this chapter. To comprehend the circadian clock's role within the BBB, we will first examine the anatomy of the BBB and the transport mechanisms enabling it to fulfill its role as a restrictive barrier. Next, we will define the circadian clock, and the discussion will encompass an introduction to circadian rhythms, the Transcription-Translation Feedback Loop (TTFL) as the mechanistic basis of circadian timekeeping, and the organization of tissue clocks found in organisms. Then, we will cover the role of the circadian rhythms in regulating the cellular mechanisms and functions of the BBB. We discuss the implications of this regulation in influencing sleep behavior, the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, and finally drug delivery for treatment of neurological diseases.

Social and circadian rhythm dysregulation and suicide: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review of 52 studies provides a quantitative synthesis of the empirical literature on social and circadian rhythm correlates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB). Small-to-medium pooled effect sizes were observed for associations between evening chronotype and STB and suicidal ideation (SI), although the pooled effect size diminished when accounting for publication bias. Three studies employed longitudinal designs and suggested eveningness was predictive of future STB, with a small-to-medium effect size. Social rhythm irregularity was also a significant correlate of STB with pooled effect sizes in the medium range. Overall circadian rhythm disruption was not associated with STB, although certain circadian rhythm metrics, including mean daytime activity, circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder diagnosis, and actigraphy-assessed amplitude were associated with STB. Pooled effect sizes for these indices were in the medium to large range. There is a need for additional longitudinal research on actigraphy-based circadian parameters and objective markers of circadian phase (i.e., dim-light melatonin onset) to gain a clearer understanding of associations of endogenous circadian function and STB beyond that which can be captured via self-report.

Targeting sleep and the circadian system as a novel treatment strategy for Parkinson's disease

There is a growing appreciation of the wide range of sleep-wake disturbances that occur frequently in Parkinson's disease. These are known to be associated with a range of motor and non-motor symptoms and significantly impact not only on the quality of life of the patient, but also on their bed partner. The underlying causes for fragmented sleep and daytime somnolence are no doubt multifactorial but there is clear evidence for circadian disruption in Parkinson's disease. This appears to be occurring not only as a result of the neuropathological changes that occur across a distributed neural network, but even down to the cellular level. Such observations indicate that circadian changes may in fact be a driver of neurodegeneration, as well as a cause for some of the sleep-wake symptoms observed in Parkinson's disease. Thus, efforts are now required to evaluate approaches including the prescription of precision medicine to modulate photoreceptor activation ratios that reflect daylight inputs to the circadian pacemaker, the use of small molecules to target clock genes, the manipulation of orexin pathways that could help restore the circadian system, to offer novel symptomatic and novel disease modifying strategies.

Small-molecule CEM3 strengthens single-cell oscillators in the suprachiasmatic nucleus

A robust endogenous clock is required for proper function of many physiological processes. The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) constitutes our central circadian clock and allows us to adapt to daily changes in the environment. Aging can cause a decline in the amplitude of circadian rhythms in SCN and peripheral clocks, which contributes to increased risk of several chronic diseases. Strengthening clock function would therefore be an effective strategy to improve health. A high-throughput chemical screening has identified clock-enhancing molecule 3 (CEM3) as small molecule that increases circadian rhythm amplitude in cell lines and SCN explants. It is, however, currently not known whether CEM3 acts by enhancing the amplitude of individual single-cell oscillators or by enhancing synchrony among neurons. In view of CEM3's potential, it is of evident importance to clarify the mode of action of CEM3. Here, we investigated the effects of CEM3 on single-cell PERIOD2::LUCIFERASE rhythms in mouse SCN explants. CEM3 increased the amplitude in approximately 80%-90% of the individual cells in the SCN without disrupting the phase and/or period of their rhythms. Noticeably, CEM3's effect on amplitude is independent of the cell's initial amplitude. These findings make CEM3 a potential therapeutic candidate to restore compromised amplitude in circadian rhythms and will boost the development of other molecular approaches to improve health.

Crosstalk Between Aging, Circadian Rhythm, and Melatonin

Circadian rhythms (CRs) are 24-hour periodic oscillations governed by an endogenous circadian pacemaker located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which organizes the physiology and behavior of organisms. Circadian rhythm disruption (CRD) is also indicative of the aging process. In mammals, melatonin is primarily synthesized in the pineal gland and participates in a variety of multifaceted intracellular signaling networks and has been shown to synchronize CRs. Endogenous melatonin synthesis and its release tend to decrease progressively with advancing age. Older individuals experience frequent CR disruption, which hastens the process of aging. A profound understanding of the relationship between CRs and aging has the potential to improve existing treatments and facilitate development of novel chronotherapies that target age-related disorders. This review article aims to examine the circadian regulatory mechanisms in which melatonin plays a key role in signaling. We describe the basic architecture of the molecular circadian clock and its functional decline with age in detail. Furthermore, we discuss the role of melatonin in regulation of the circadian pacemaker and redox homeostasis during aging. Moreover, we also discuss the protective effect of exogenous melatonin supplementation in age-dependent CR disruption, which sheds light on this pleiotropic molecule and how it can be used as an effective chronotherapeutic medicine.

Tick tock, the cartilage clock

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common age-related joint disease, affecting articular cartilage and other joint structures, causing severe pain and disability. Due to a limited understanding of the underlying disease pathogenesis, there are currently no disease-modifying drugs for OA. Circadian rhythms are generated by cell-intrinsic timekeeping mechanisms which are known to dampen during ageing, increasing disease risks. In this review, we focus on one emerging area of chondrocyte biology, the circadian clocks. We first provide a historical perspective of circadian clock discoveries and the molecular underpinnings. We will then focus on the expression and functions of circadian clocks in articular cartilage, including their rhythmic target genes and pathways, links to ageing, tissue degeneration, and OA, as well as tissue niche-specific entrainment pathways. Further research into cartilage clocks and ageing may have broader implications in the understanding of OA pathogenesis, the standardization of biomarker detection, and the development of novel therapeutic routes for the prevention and management of OA and other musculoskeletal diseases.

Importance of mechanical cues in regulating musculoskeletal circadian clock rhythmicity: Implications for articular cartilage

The circadian clock, a collection of endogenous cellular oscillators with an approximate 24-h cycle, involves autoregulatory transcriptional/translational feedback loops to enable synchronization within the body. Circadian rhythmicity is controlled by a master clock situated in the hypothalamus; however, peripheral tissues are also under the control of autonomous clocks which are coordinated by the master clock to regulate physiological processes. Although light is the primary signal required to entrain the body to the external day, non-photic zeitgeber including exercise also entrains circadian rhythmicity. Cellular mechano-sensing is imperative for functionality of physiological systems including musculoskeletal tissues. Over the last decade, mechano-regulation of circadian rhythmicity in skeletal muscle, intervertebral disc, and bone has been demonstrated to impact tissue homeostasis. In contrast, few publications exist characterizing the influence of mechanical loading on the circadian rhythm in articular cartilage, a musculoskeletal tissue in which loading is imperative for function; importantly, a dysregulated cartilage clock contributes to development of osteoarthritis. Hence, this review summarizes the literature on mechano-regulation of circadian clocks in musculoskeletal tissues and infers on their collective importance in understanding the circadian clock and its synchronicity for articular cartilage mechanobiology.

Association of 24 h Behavior Rhythm with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease among American Adults with Overweight/Obesity

Emerging evidence suggests that in addition to metabolic, genetic and environmental factors, circadian rhythm also plays a role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to explore the association of 24 h behavior rhythm (activity-rest and feeding-fasting rhythm) with NAFLD. A total of 4502 adult participants with overweight/obesity from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2014 were included in the current study. The behavior rhythm indices were calculated and divided into quintiles for logistic regression models. Compared to those in the lowest quintile, participants in the highest quintile of relative amplitude (RA) had a lower risk of NAFLD (OR = 0.71, 95% CI, 0.55-0.91); participants in the highest quintile of the average activity of the least active continuous 5 h period (L5) were associated with a higher risk of NAFLD (OR = 1.35, 95% CI, 1.07-1.71). Additionally, participants in the highest quintile of fasting duration and feeding rhythm score were associated with a lower risk of NAFLD relative to those in the lowest quintile (OR = 0.76, 95% CI, 0.59-0.98 for fasting duration, OR = 0.74, 95% CI, 0.58-0.95 for feeding rhythm score). The associations were stronger among participants with obesity. No significant associations were found in the relationship of other behavior rhythm indices with NAFLD. This study indicated a significant association of 24 h behavior rhythm with NAFLD among American adults with overweight/obesity.

Circadian regulation of cardiac muscle function and protein degradation

The circadian clock plays a fundamental role in physiology. In particular, the heart is a target organ where the clock orchestrates various aspects of cardiac function. At the molecular level, the clock machinery governs daily rhythms of gene expression. Such circadian regulation is in tune with the dynamic nature of heart structure and function, and provides the foundation for chronotherapeutic applications in cardiovascular diseases. In comparison, a regulatory role of the clock in cardiac protein degradation is poorly documented. Sarcomere is the structural and functional unit responsible for cardiac muscle contraction, and sarcomere components are closely regulated by protein folding and proteolysis. Emerging evidence supports a role of the circadian clock in governing sarcomere integrity and function. Particularly, recent studies uncovered a circadian regulation of a core sarcomere component TCAP. It is possible that circadian regulation of the cardiac muscle protein turnover is a key regulatory mechanism underlying cardiac remodeling in response to physiological and environmental stimuli. While the detailed regulatory mechanisms and the molecular links to cardiac (patho)physiology remain to be further studied, therapeutic strategies targeting circadian control in the heart may markedly enhance intervention outcomes against cardiovascular disease.

The relationship between social jetlag and subjective sleep quality: differences in young and middle-aged workers

Social jetlag is a recent problem that is associated with a wide range of issues in the context of modern life. However, differences in the effects of social jetlag on sleep quality between young and middle-aged workers remain unclear. Accordingly, we aimed to examine the different effects of social jetlag on sleep quality in young (20-39 years) and middle-aged (40-59 years) workers from one factory. We included 106 male full-time workers (average age: 35.8 ± 11.5 years) who worked at the Kobe Factory of Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. Social jetlag was evaluated using the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire Japanese Version. Subjective sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Japanese Version. Chronotype was determined using the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire Japanese Version (MEQ), while the health-related quality-of-life was evaluated using a revised version of the MOS 36-Item Short-Form Survey. Furthermore, we examined factors related to sleep quality in each age group using multiple regression analysis. Subjective sleep quality in the analysis set was poor; moreover, 39.4% of the participants had social jetlag for ≥ 1 h. Compared with middle-aged workers, young workers showed significantly longer and lower social jetlag and MEQ scores, respectively. Multiple regression analysis revealed that mental health and social jet lag were significantly associated with sleep quality in young participants. Contrastingly, social jetlag was not associated with sleep quality in middle-aged workers. Our findings demonstrate the importance of considering the effects of age-based factors on sleep quality.

Discovery of a small molecule that selectively destabilizes Cryptochrome 1 and enhances life span in p53 knockout mice

Cryptochromes are negative transcriptional regulators of the circadian clock in mammals. It is not clear how reducing the level of endogenous CRY1 in mammals will affect circadian rhythm and the relation of such a decrease with apoptosis. Here, we discovered a molecule (M47) that destabilizes Cryptochrome 1 (CRY1) both in vitro and in vivo. The M47 selectively enhanced the degradation rate of CRY1 by increasing its ubiquitination and resulted in increasing the circadian period length of U2OS Bmal1-dLuc cells. In addition, subcellular fractionation studies from mice liver indicated that M47 increased degradation of the CRY1 in the nucleus. Furthermore, M47-mediated CRY1 reduction enhanced oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis in Ras-transformed p53 null fibroblast cells. Systemic repetitive administration of M47 increased the median lifespan of p53^-/- mice by ~25%. Collectively our data suggest that M47 is a promising molecule to treat forms of cancer depending on the p53 mutation.

ISX-9 potentiates CaMKIIδ-mediated BMAL1 activation to enhance circadian amplitude

Circadian dysregulation associates with numerous diseases including metabolic dysfunction, sleep disorder, depression and aging. Given that declined circadian amplitude is a trait commonly found with compromised health, interventions that design in precluding circadian amplitude from dampening will aid to mitigate complex, circadian-related diseases. Here we identify a neurogenic small molecule ISX-9 that is able to support persistent and higher amplitude of circadian oscillations. ISX-9 improves diurnal metabolic rhythms in middle-aged mice. Moreover, the ISX-9-treated mice show better sleep homeostasis with increased delta power during the day time and higher locomotive activity in the dark period. ISX-9 augments CaMKIIδ expression and increases BMAL1 activity via eliciting CaMKIIδ-mediated phosphorylation on BMAL1 residues S513/S515/S516, accordingly composes a positive feedback effect on enhancing circadian amplitude. CaMKIIδ-targeting, and the use of ISX-9 may serve as decent choices for treating circadian-related disorders.

Chronoradiobiology of Breast Cancer: The Time Is Now to Link Circadian Rhythm and Radiation Biology

Circadian disruption has been linked to cancer development, progression, and radiation response. Clinical evidence to date shows that circadian genetic variation and time of treatment affect radiation response and toxicity for women with breast cancer. At the molecular level, there is interplay between circadian clock regulators such as PER1, which mediates ATM and p53-mediated cell cycle gating and apoptosis. These molecular alterations may govern aggressive cancer phenotypes, outcomes, and radiation response. Exploiting the various circadian clock mechanisms may enhance the therapeutic index of radiation by decreasing toxicity, increasing disease control, and improving outcomes. We will review the body’s natural circadian rhythms and clock gene-regulation while exploring preclinical and clinical evidence that implicates chronobiological disruptions in the etiology of breast cancer. We will discuss radiobiological principles and the circadian regulation of DNA damage responses. Lastly, we will present potential rational therapeutic approaches that target circadian pathways to improve outcomes in breast cancer. Understanding the implications of optimal timing in cancer treatment and exploring ways to entrain circadian biology with light, diet, and chronobiological agents like melatonin may provide an avenue for enhancing the therapeutic index of radiotherapy.

Association of rs3027178 polymorphism in the circadian clock gene PER1 with susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease and longevity in an Italian population

Many physiological processes in the human body follow a 24-h circadian rhythm controlled by the circadian clock system. Light, sensed by retina, is the predominant “zeitgeber” able to synchronize the circadian rhythms to the light-dark cycles. Circadian rhythm dysfunction and sleep disorders have been associated with aging and neurodegenerative diseases including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In the present study, we aimed at investigating the genetic variability of clock genes in AD patients compared to healthy controls from Italy. We also included a group of Italian centenarians, considered as super-controls in association studies given their extreme phenotype of successful aging. We analyzed the exon sequences of eighty-four genes related to circadian rhythms, and the most significant variants identified in this first discovery phase were further assessed in a larger independent cohort of AD patients by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. The results identified a significant association between the rs3027178 polymorphism in the PER1 circadian gene with AD, the G allele being protective for AD. Interestingly, rs3027178 showed similar genotypic frequencies among AD patients and centenarians. These results collectively underline the relevance of circadian dysfunction in the predisposition to AD and contribute to the discussion on the role of the relationship between the genetics of age-related diseases and of longevity.

Advances in Unhealthy Nutrition and Circadian Dysregulation in Pathophysiology of NAFLD

Unhealthy diets and lifestyle result in various metabolic conditions including metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Much evidence indicates that disruption of circadian rhythms contributes to the development and progression of excessive hepatic fat deposition and inflammation, as well as liver fibrosis, a key characteristic of non-steatohepatitis (NASH) or the advanced form of NAFLD. In this review, we emphasize the importance of nutrition as a critical factor in the regulation of circadian clock in the liver. We also focus on the roles of the rhythms of nutrient intake and the composition of diets in the regulation of circadian clocks in the context of controlling hepatic glucose and fat metabolism. We then summarize the effects of unhealthy nutrition and circadian dysregulation on the development of hepatic steatosis and inflammation. A better understanding of how the interplay among nutrition, circadian rhythms, and dysregulated metabolism result in hepatic steatosis and inflammation can help develop improved preventive and/or therapeutic strategies for managing NAFLD.

Defining circadian disruption in neurodegenerative disorders

Neurodegenerative diseases encompass a large group of conditions that are clinically and pathologically diverse yet are linked by a shared pathology of misfolded proteins. The accumulation of insoluble aggregates is accompanied by a progressive loss of vulnerable neurons. For some patients, the symptoms are motor focused (ataxias), while others experience cognitive and psychiatric symptoms (dementias). Among the shared symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases is a disruption of the sleep/wake cycle that occurs early in the trajectory of the disease and may be a risk factor for disease development. In many cases, the disruption in the timing of sleep and other rhythmic physiological markers immediately raises the possibility of neurodegeneration-driven disruption of the circadian timing system. The aim of this Review is to summarize the evidence supporting the hypothesis that circadian disruption is a core symptom within neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and Parkinson's disease, and to discuss the latest progress in this field. The Review discusses evidence that neurodegenerative processes may disrupt the structure and function of the circadian system and describes circadian-based interventions as well as timed drug treatments that may improve a wide range of symptoms associated with neurodegenerative disorders. It also identifies key gaps in our knowledge.

Dystrophin involvement in peripheral circadian SRF signalling

Absence of dystrophin, an essential sarcolemmal protein required for muscle contraction, leads to the devastating muscle-wasting disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Dystrophin has an actin-binding domain, which binds and stabilises filamentous-(F)-actin, an integral component of the RhoA-actin-serum-response-factor-(SRF) pathway. This pathway plays a crucial role in circadian signalling, whereby the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) transmits cues to peripheral tissues, activating SRF and transcription of clock-target genes. Given dystrophin binds F-actin and disturbed SRF-signalling disrupts clock entrainment, we hypothesised dystrophin loss causes circadian deficits. We show for the first time alterations in the RhoA-actin-SRF-signalling pathway, in dystrophin-deficient myotubes and dystrophic mouse models. Specifically, we demonstrate reduced F/G-actin ratios, altered MRTF levels, dysregulated core-clock and downstream target-genes, and down-regulation of key circadian genes in muscle biopsies from Duchenne patients harbouring an array of mutations. Furthermore, we show dystrophin is absent in the SCN of dystrophic mice which display disrupted circadian locomotor behaviour, indicative of disrupted SCN signalling. Therefore, dystrophin is an important component of the RhoA-actin-SRF pathway and novel mediator of circadian signalling in peripheral tissues, loss of which leads to circadian dysregulation.

Role of the cation-chloride-cotransporters in the circadian system

The circadian system plays an immense role in controlling physiological processes in our body. The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) supervises this system, regulating and harmonising the circadian rhythms in our body. Most neurons present in the SCN are GABAergic neurons. Although GABA is considered the main inhibitory neurotransmitter of the CNS, recent studies have shown that excitatory responses were recorded in this area. These responses are enabled by an increase in intracellular chloride ions [Cl^-]_i levels. The chloride (Cl^-) levels in GABAergic neurons are controlled by two solute carrier 12 (SLC12) cation-chloride-cotransporters (CCCs): Na⁺/K⁺/Cl^- co-transporter (NKCC1) and K⁺/Cl^- co-transporter (KCC2), that respectively cause an influx and efflux of Cl^-. Recent works have found altered expression and/or activity of either of these co-transporters in SCN neurons and have been associated with circadian rhythms. In this review, we summarize and discuss the role of CCCs in circadian rhythms, and highlight these recent advances which attest to CCC's growing potential as strong research and therapeutic targets.

Exploring the multifunctional role of melatonin in regulating autophagy and sleep to mitigate Alzheimer's disease neuropathology

Melatonin (MLT) is a neurohormone that is regulated by the circadian clock and plays multifunctional roles in numerous neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is the most common form of dementia and is associated with the degradation of axons and synapses resulting in memory loss and cognitive impairment. Despite extensive research, there is still no effective cure or specific treatment to prevent the progression of AD. The pathogenesis of AD involves atrophic alterations in the brain that also result in circadian alterations, sleep disruption, and autophagic dysfunction. In this scenario, MLT and autophagy play a central role in removing the misfolded protein aggregations. MLT also promotes autophagy through inhibiting methamphetamine toxicity to protect against neuronal cell death in AD brain. Besides, MLT plays critical roles as either a pro-autophagic indicator or anti-autophagic regulator depending on the phase of autophagy. MLT also has antioxidant properties that can counteract mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Aging, a major risk factor for AD, can change sleep patterns and sleep quality, and MLT can improve sleep quality through regulating sleep cycles. The primary purpose of this review is to explore the putative mechanisms of the beneficial effects of MLT in AD patients. Furthermore, we also summarize the findings from preclinical and clinical studies on the multifunctional roles of MLT on autophagic regulation, the control of the circadian clock-associated genes, and sleep regulation.

Small-molecule modulators of the circadian clock: Pharmacological potentials in circadian-related diseases

Disruption of circadian oscillations has a wide-ranging impact on health, with the potential to induce the development of clock-related diseases. Small-molecule modulators of the circadian clock (SMMCC) target core or noncore clock proteins, modulating physiological effects as a consequence of agonist, inverse agonist, or antagonist interference. These pharmacological modulators are usually identified using chemical screening of large libraries of active compounds. However, target-based screens, chemical optimization, and circadian crystallography have recently assisted in the identification of these compounds. In this review, we focus on established and novel SMMCCs targeting both core and noncore clock proteins, identifying their circadian targets, detailed circadian effects, and specific physiological effects. In addition, we discuss their therapeutic potential for the treatment of diverse clock-related disorders (such as metabolic-associated disorders, autoimmune diseases, mood disorders, and cancer) and as chronotherapeutics. Future perspectives are also considered, such as clinical trials, and potential safety hazards, including those in the absence of clinical trials.

Circadian rhythm as a therapeutic target

The circadian clock evolved in diverse organisms to integrate external environmental changes and internal physiology. The clock endows the host with temporal precision and robust adaptation to the surrounding environment. When circadian rhythms are perturbed or misaligned, as a result of jet lag, shiftwork or other lifestyle factors, adverse health consequences arise, and the risks of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases or metabolic disorders increase. Although the negative impact of circadian rhythm disruption is now well established, it remains underappreciated how to take advantage of biological timing, or correct it, for health benefits. In this Review, we provide an updated account of the circadian system and highlight several key disease areas with altered circadian signalling. We discuss environmental and lifestyle modifications of circadian rhythm and clock-based therapeutic strategies, including chronotherapy, in which dosing time is deliberately optimized for maximum therapeutic index, and pharmacological agents that target core clock components and proximal regulators. Promising progress in research, disease models and clinical applications should encourage a concerted effort towards a new era of circadian medicine.

Can chronopharmacology improve the therapeutic management of neurological diseases?

The importance of circadian rhythm dysfunctions in the pathophysiology of neurological diseases has been highlighted recently. Chronopharmacology principles imply that tailoring the timing of treatments to the circadian rhythm of individual patients could optimize therapeutic management. According to these principles, chronopharmacology takes into account the individual differences in patients' clocks, the rhythmic changes in the organism sensitivity to therapeutic and side effects of drugs, and the predictable time variations of disease. This review examines the current literature on chronopharmacology of neurological diseases focusing its scope on epilepsy, Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases, and neuropathic pain, even if other neurological diseases could have been analyzed. While the results of the studies discussed in this review point to a potential therapeutic benefit of chronopharmacology in neurological diseases, the field is still in its infancy. Studies including a sufficiently large number of patients and measuring gold standard markers of the circadian rhythmicity are still needed to evaluate the beneficial effect of administration times over the 24-hour day but also of clock modulating drugs.

Pharmacological Actions of Carbamate Insecticides at Mammalian Melatonin Receptors

Integrated in silico chemical clustering and melatonin receptor molecular modeling combined with in vitro 2-[125I]-iodomelatonin competition binding were used to identify carbamate insecticides with affinity for human melatonin receptor 1 (hMT1) and human melatonin receptor 2 (hMT2). Saturation and kinetic binding studies with 2-[125I]-iodomelatonin revealed lead carbamates (carbaryl, fenobucarb, bendiocarb, carbofuran) to be orthosteric ligands with antagonist apparent efficacy at hMT1 and agonist apparent efficacy at hMT2 Furthermore, using quantitative receptor autoradiography in coronal brain slices from C3H/HeN mice, carbaryl, fenobucarb, and bendiocarb competed for 2-[125I]-iodomelatonin binding in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT), and pars tuberalis (PT) with affinities similar to those determined for the hMT1 receptor. Carbaryl (10 mg/kg i.p.) administered in vivo also competed ex vivo for 2-[125I]-iodomelatonin binding to the SCN, PVT, and PT, demonstrating the ability to reach brain melatonin receptors in C3H/HeN mice. Furthermore, the same dose of carbaryl given to C3H/HeN mice in constant dark for three consecutive days at subjective dusk (circadian time 10) phase-advanced circadian activity rhythms (mean = 0.91 hours) similar to melatonin (mean = 1.12 hours) when compared with vehicle (mean = 0.04 hours). Carbaryl-mediated phase shift of overt circadian activity rhythm onset is likely mediated via interactions with SCN melatonin receptors. Based on the pharmacological actions of carbaryl and other carbamate insecticides at melatonin receptors, exposure may modulate time-of-day information conveyed to the master biologic clock relevant to adverse health outcomes. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: In silico chemical clustering and molecular modeling in conjunction with in vitro bioassays identified several carbamate insecticides (i.e., carbaryl, carbofuran, fenobucarb, bendiocarb) as pharmacologically active orthosteric melatonin receptor 1 and 2 ligands. This work further demonstrated that carbaryl competes for melatonin receptor binding in the master biological clock (suprachiasmatic nucleus) and phase-advances overt circadian activity rhythms in C3H/HeN mice, supporting the relevance of circadian effects when interpreting toxicological findings related to carbamate insecticide exposure.

The circadian system in Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and progressive supranuclear palsy

Circadian organization of physiology and behavior is an important biologic process that allows organisms to anticipate and prepare for predictable changes in the environment. Circadian disruptions are associated with a wide range of health issues. In patients with neurodegenerative diseases, alterations of circadian rhythms are among the most common and debilitating symptoms. Although a growing awareness of these symptoms has occurred during the last decade, their underlying neuropathophysiologic circuitry remains poorly understood and, consequently, no effective therapeutic strategies are available to alleviate these health issues. Recent studies have examined the neuropathologic status of the different neural components of the circuitry governing the generation of circadian rhythms in neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we will dissect the potential contribution of dysfunctions in the different nodes of this circuitry to circadian alterations in patients with parkinsonism-linked neurodegenerative diseases (namely, Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and progressive supranuclear palsy). A deeper understanding of these mechanisms will provide not only a better understanding of disease neuropathophysiology but also holds promise for the development of more effective and mechanisms-based therapies.

Time-restricted feeding prevents depressive-like and anxiety-like behaviors in male rats exposed to an experimental model of shift-work

Individuals who regularly shift their sleep timing, like night and/or shift-workers suffer from circadian desynchrony and are at risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases and cancer. Also, shift-work is are suggested to be a risk factor for the development of mood disorders such as the burn out syndrome, anxiety, and depression. Experimental and clinical studies provide evidence that food intake restricted to the normal activity phase is a potent synchronizer for the circadian system and can prevent the detrimental health effects associated with circadian disruption. Here, we explored whether adult male Wistar rats exposed to an experimental model of shift-work (W-AL) developed depressive and/or anxiety-like behaviors and whether this was associated with neuroinflammation in brain areas involved with mood regulation. We also tested whether time-restricted feeding (TRF) to the active phase could ameliorate circadian disruption and therefore would prevent depressive and anxiety-like behaviors as well as neuroinflammation. In male Wistar rats, W-AL induced depressive-like behavior characterized by hypoactivity and anhedonia and induced increased anxiety-like behavior in the open field test. This was associated with increased number of glial fibrillary acidic protein and IBA-1-positive cells in the prefrontal cortex and basolateral amygdala. Moreover W-AL caused morphological changes in the microglia in the CA3 area of the hippocampus indicating microglial activation. Importantly, TRF prevented behavioral changes and decreased neuroinflammation markers in the brain. Present results add up evidence about the importance that TRF in synchrony with the light-dark cycle can prevent neuroinflammation leading to healthy mood states in spite of circadian disruptive conditions.

Constant Light Dysregulates Cochlear Circadian Clock and Exacerbates Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the major causes of acquired sensorineural hearing loss in modern society. While people with excessive exposure to noise are frequently the population with a lifestyle of irregular circadian rhythms, the effects of circadian dysregulation on the auditory system are still little known. Here, we disturbed the circadian clock in the cochlea of male CBA/CaJ mice by constant light (LL) or constant dark. LL significantly repressed circadian rhythmicity of circadian clock genes Per1, Per2, Rev-erbα, Bmal1, and Clock in the cochlea, whereas the auditory brainstem response thresholds were unaffected. After exposure to low-intensity (92 dB) noise, mice under LL condition initially showed similar temporary threshold shifts to mice under normal light-dark cycle, and mice under both conditions returned to normal thresholds after 3 weeks. However, LL augmented high-intensity (106 dB) noise-induced permanent threshold shifts, particularly at 32 kHz. The loss of outer hair cells (OHCs) and the reduction of synaptic ribbons were also higher in mice under LL after noise exposure. Additionally, LL enhanced high-intensity noise-induced 4-hydroxynonenal in the OHCs. Our findings convey new insight into the deleterious effect of an irregular biological clock on the auditory system.

Therapeutics on the clock: Circadian medicine in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases

The circadian clock is a collection of endogenous oscillators with a periodicity of ~ 24 h. Recently, our understanding of circadian rhythms and their regulation at genomic and physiologic scales has grown significantly. Knowledge of the circadian influence on biological processes has provided new possibilities for novel pharmacological strategies. Directly targeting the biological clock or its downstream targets, and/or using timing as a variable in drug therapy are now important pharmacological considerations. The circadian machinery mediates many aspects of the inflammatory response and, reciprocally, an inflammatory environment can disrupt circadian rhythms. Therefore, intense interest exists in leveraging circadian biology as a means to treat chronic inflammatory diseases such as sepsis, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and cardiovascular disease, which all display some type of circadian signature. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the crosstalk between circadian rhythms, inflammatory diseases, and their pharmacological treatment. Evidence suggests that carefully rationalized application of chronotherapy strategies - alone or in combination with small molecule modulators of circadian clock components - can improve efficacy and reduce toxicity, thus warranting further investigation and use.

Melatonin treatment of repetitive behavioral deficits in the Cntnap2 mouse model of autism spectrum disorder

Nighttime light pollution is linked to metabolic and cognitive dysfunction. Many patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) show disturbances in their sleep/wake cycle, and may be particularly vulnerable to the impact of circadian disruptors. In this study, we examined the impact of exposure to dim light at night (DLaN, 5 lx) in a model of ASD: the contactin associated protein-like 2 knock out (Cntnap2 KO) mice. DLaN was sufficient to disrupt locomotor activity rhythms, exacerbate the excessive grooming and diminish the social preference in Cntnap2 mutant mice. On a molecular level, DLaN altered the phase and amplitude of PER2:LUC rhythms in a tissue-specific manner in vitro. Daily treatment with melatonin reduced the excessive grooming of the mutant mice to wild-type levels and improved activity rhythms. Our findings suggest that common circadian disruptors such as light at night should be considered in the management of ASD.

Role of the Immune System and the Circadian Rhythm in the Pathogenesis of Chronic Pancreatitis: Establishing a Personalized Signature for Improving the Effect of Immunotherapies for Chronic Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis, in both acute and chronic forms, poses a major therapeutic challenge and is associated with great morbidity and several complications. The nature of pancreatic injury in chronic pancreatitis (CP) and the wide range of causative processes that lead to CP have made effective therapy a true unmet need. Multiple physiological, genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors contribute to the development of CP. As a result, several fields of research are aimed at identifying and addressing the factors that contribute to pancreatic injury. In this article, we review the current understanding of the pathogenesis and natural history of CP. We focus on the autonomous nervous system, immune system, and role of a chronobiological therapeutic approach to alleviate symptoms and prevent or reverse pancreatic injury associated with CP. We aim to demonstrate that individualizing chronopharmacological treatments for CP is a promising direction for future treatment using immune, nervous, and circadian systems.

Advances in the Involvement of Gut Microbiota in Pathophysiology of NAFLD

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by hepatic steatosis and progresses to non-steatohepatitis (NASH) when the liver displays overt inflammatory damage. Increasing evidence has implicated critical roles for dysbiosis and microbiota-host interactions in NAFLD pathophysiology. In particular, microbiota alter intestine absorption of nutrients and intestine permeability, whose dysregulation enhances the delivery of nutrients, endotoxin, and microbiota metabolites to the liver and exacerbates hepatic fat deposition and inflammation. While how altered composition of gut microbiota attributes to NAFLD remains to be elucidated, microbiota metabolites are shown to be involved in the regulation of hepatocyte fat metabolism and liver inflammatory responses. In addition, intestinal microbes and circadian coordinately adjust metabolic regulation in different stages of life. During aging, altered composition of gut microbiota, along with circadian clock dysregulation, appears to contribute to increased incidence and/or severity of NAFLD.

Circadian alterations in patients with neurodegenerative diseases: Neuropathological basis of underlying network mechanisms

Circadian organization of physiology and behavior is an important biological process that allows organisms to anticipate and prepare for daily changes and demands. Disruptions in this system precipitates a wide range of health issues. In patients with neurodegenerative diseases, alterations of circadian rhythms are among the most common and debilitating symptoms. Although a growing awareness of these symptoms has occurred during the last decade, their underlying neuropathophysiological circuitry remains poorly understood and consequently no effective therapeutic strategies are available to alleviate these health issues. Recent studies have examined the neuropathological status of the different neural components of the circuitry governing the generation of circadian rhythms in neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we will dissect the potential contribution of dysfunctions in the different nodes of this circuitry to circadian alterations in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms will provide not only a better understanding of disease neuro-pathophysiology, but also hold the promise for developing effective and mechanisms-based therapies.

Effects of exercise on sleep in neurodegenerative disease

As the population ages, the incidence and prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders will continue to increase. Persons with neurodegenerative disease frequently experience sleep disorders, which not only affect quality of life, but potentially accelerate progression of the disease. Unfortunately, pharmacological interventions are often futile or have adverse effects. Therefore, investigation of non-pharmacological interventions has the potential to expand the treatment landscape for these disorders. The last decade has observed increasing recognition of the beneficial role of exercise in brain diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders in particular. In this review, we will focus on the therapeutic role of exercise for sleep dysfunction in four neurodegenerative diseases, namely Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Available data suggest that exercise may have the potential to improve sleep disorders and attenuate neurodegeneration, particularly in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. However, additional research is required in order to understand the most effective exercise therapy for these indications; the best way to monitor the response to interventions; the influence of exercise on sleep dysfunction in Huntington's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; and the mechanisms underlying exercise-induced sleep modifications.

Preoperative circadian physical activity rhythm and postoperative delirium in cardiovascular surgery patients

Postoperative delirium, a common perioperative complication, is frequently observed in elderly surgical patients. Few studies have investigated the life rhythm of preoperative patients, and whether or not the preoperative life rhythm is associated with the development of postoperative delirium. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the preoperative circadian physical activity rhythm and postoperative delirium in cardiovascular surgery patients. A total of 43 patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery were included in this prospective study between July 2016 and September 2017 at Kobe University Hospital. All subjects used a "Life Microscope" wristband (a wristwatch-type terminal incorporating a 3-axis accelerometer monitoring) for 3-7 days at home before the planned surgery. Hourly mean values were calculated for the metabolic equivalents from the obtained activity amounts, and subsequently evaluated using cosine periodic regression analysis. The circadian rhythm parameters of mesor (24 h time series mean), amplitude (half the peak-trough variation), and acrophase (peak time) for the metabolic equivalents were obtained. The intensive care delirium screening checklist was used to assess for postoperative delirium. The acrophase significantly advanced in the postoperative delirium group (median, 11:55 h [interquartile range, 11:06-12:27 h]) compared to the group without postoperative delirium (median, 13:25 h [interquartile range, 12:52-14:13 h]) (p < .001). Furthermore, binary logistic regression analysis showed that advances in the physical activity phase remained independently associated with postoperative delirium (odds ratio, 0.003 [95% confidence interval, 0-0.63]). These results suggest that misalignment between advanced life rhythm before hospitalization and life rhythm after hospitalization might be associated with risk for developing postoperative delirium. Our results led us to speculate that adequate consideration of the patient's life rhythm before hospitalization is needed to prevent postoperative delirium.

Circadian-Hypoxia Link and its Potential for Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease

Throughout the evolutionary time, all organisms and species on Earth evolved with an adaptation to consistent oscillations of sunlight and darkness, now recognized as 'circadian rhythm.' Single-cellular to multisystem organisms use circadian biology to synchronize to the external environment and provide predictive adaptation to changes in cellular homeostasis. Dysregulation of circadian biology has been implicated in numerous prevalent human diseases, and subsequently targeting the circadian machinery may provide innovative preventative or treatment strategies. Discovery of 'peripheral circadian clocks' unleashed widespread investigations into the potential roles of clock biology in cellular, tissue, and organ function in healthy and diseased states. Particularly, oxygen-sensing pathways (e.g. hypoxia inducible factor, HIF1), are critical for adaptation to changes in oxygen availability in diseases such as myocardial ischemia. Recent investigations have identified a connection between the circadian rhythm protein Period 2 (PER2) and HIF1A that may elucidate an evolutionarily conserved cellular network that can be targeted to manipulate metabolic function in stressed conditions like hypoxia or ischemia. Understanding the link between circadian and hypoxia pathways may provide insights and subsequent innovative therapeutic strategies for patients with myocardial ischemia. This review addresses our current understanding of the connection between light-sensing pathways (PER2), and oxygen-sensing pathways (HIF1A), in the context of myocardial ischemia and lays the groundwork for future studies to take advantage of these two evolutionarily conserved pathways in the treatment of myocardial ischemia.

A CLOCK-binding small molecule disrupts the interaction between CLOCK and BMAL1 and enhances circadian rhythm amplitude

Proper function of many physiological processes requires a robust circadian clock. Disruptions of the circadian clock can result in metabolic diseases, mood disorders, and accelerated aging. Therefore, identifying small molecules that specifically modulate regulatory core clock proteins may potentially enable better management of these disorders. In this study, we applied a structure-based molecular-docking approach to find small molecules that specifically bind to the core circadian regulator, the transcription factor circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK). We identified 100 candidate molecules by virtual screening of ∼2 million small molecules for those predicted to bind closely to the interface in CLOCK that interacts with its transcriptional co-regulator, Brain and muscle Arnt-like protein-1 (BMAL1). Using a mammalian two-hybrid system, real-time monitoring of circadian rhythm in U2OS cells, and various biochemical assays, we tested these compounds experimentally and found one, named CLK8, that specifically bound to and interfered with CLOCK activity. We show that CLK8 disrupts the interaction between CLOCK and BMAL1 and interferes with nuclear translocation of CLOCK both in vivo and in vitro Results from further experiments indicated that CLK8 enhances the amplitude of the cellular circadian rhythm by stabilizing the negative arm of the transcription/translation feedback loop without affecting period length. Our results reveal CLK8 as a tool for further studies of CLOCK's role in circadian rhythm amplitude regulation and as a potential candidate for therapeutic development to manage disorders associated with dampened circadian rhythms.

The circadian clock is disrupted in mice with adenine-induced tubulointerstitial nephropathy

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is increasing in incidence and has become a worldwide health problem. Sleep disorders are prevalent in patients with CKD raising the possibility that these patients have a disorganized circadian timing system. Here, we examined the effect of adenine-induced tubulointerstitial nephropathy on the circadian system in mice. Compared to controls, adenine-treated mice showed serum biochemistry evidence of CKD as well as increased kidney expression of inflammation and fibrosis markers. Mice with CKD exhibited fragmented sleep behavior and locomotor activity, with lower degrees of cage activity compared to mice without CKD. On a molecular level, mice with CKD exhibited low amplitude rhythms in their central circadian clock as measured by bioluminescence in slices of the suprachiasmatic nucleus of PERIOD 2::LUCIFERASE mice. Whole animal imaging indicated that adenine treated mice also exhibited dampened oscillations in intact kidney, liver, and submandibular gland. Consistently, dampened circadian oscillations were observed in several circadian clock genes and clock-controlled genes in the kidney of the mice with CKD. Finally, mice with a genetically disrupted circadian clock (Clock mutants) were treated with adenine and compared to wild type control mice. The treatment evoked worse kidney damage as indicated by higher deposition of gelatinases (matrix metalloproteinase-2 and 9) and adenine metabolites in the kidney. Adenine also caused non-dipping hypertension and lower heart rate. Thus, our data indicate that central and peripheral circadian clocks are disrupted in the adenine-treated mice, and suggest that the disruption of the circadian clock accelerates CKD progression.

Sleep and Circadian Rhythm Disorder in Bipolar Affective Disorder

Symptoms of affective disorders encompass a range of changes to biological processes such as sleep and appetite. These processes are regulated over a 24-h cycle known as the circadian rhythm. Sleep is a particularly useful marker of this rhythm as it is readily measurable and functionally significant. Sleep disturbance is common in bipolar affective disorder and may act as a marker, and precipitant, of relapse. Circadian rhythms are modulated by environmental and social cues and have been shown to be influenced by treatment in BPAD. As such understanding of circadian rhythms may lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of BPAD and its treatment. This chapter will explore the neurobiology of the circadian clock and the putative role of circadian rhythm dysregulation in the pathophysiology and treatment of bipolar affective disorder (BPAD).

Resetting the Aging Clock: Implications for Managing Age-Related Diseases

Worldwide, individuals are living longer due to medical and scientific advances, increased availability of medical care and changes in public health policies. Consequently, increasing attention has been focused on managing chronic conditions and age-related diseases to ensure healthy aging. The endogenous circadian system regulates molecular, physiological and behavioral rhythms orchestrating functional coordination and processes across tissues and organs. Circadian disruption or desynchronization of circadian oscillators increases disease risk and appears to accelerate aging. Reciprocally, aging weakens circadian function aggravating age-related diseases and pathologies. In this review, we summarize the molecular composition and structural organization of the circadian system in mammals and humans, and evaluate the technological and societal factors contributing to the increasing incidence of circadian disorders. Furthermore, we discuss the adverse effects of circadian dysfunction on aging and longevity and the bidirectional interactions through which aging affects circadian function using examples from mammalian research models and humans. Additionally, we review promising methods for managing healthy aging through behavioral and pharmacological reinforcement of the circadian system. Understanding age-related changes in the circadian clock and minimizing circadian dysfunction may be crucial components to promote healthy aging.

Coordinate Regulation of Cholesterol and Bile Acid Metabolism by the Clock Modifier Nobiletin in Metabolically Challenged Old Mice

Cholesterol and bile acid (BA) homeostasis plays a central role in systemic metabolism. Accumulating evidence suggests a key regulatory function of the circadian clock, our biological timer, in lipid metabolism, particularly cholesterol and bile acid flux. Previously, we showed that Nobiletin (NOB), a natural compound targeting the ROR (Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor) nuclear receptors in the circadian oscillator, strongly protects lipid homeostasis, including normal serum cholesterol levels in high-fat (HF) fed mice at both young and old ages. In this study, we further examined the role of NOB in cholesterol metabolism in HF-fed aged mice, and found that NOB lowered the serum LDL/VLDL cholesterol levels and consequently the LDL/HDL ratio. BA levels in the serum were markedly reduced in the HF.NOB group, and examination of additional hepatic markers further indicate a protective role of NOB in the liver. At the molecular level, whereas HF feeding downregulated hepatic expression of several ROR target genes involved in bile acid synthesis, NOB treatment (HF.NOB) was able to rescue it. In accordance, fecal BA excretion was enhanced by NOB, and microbial 16S sequencing revealed alteration of several taxa known to be involved in secondary BA production in the gut. Together, these results demonstrate concerted effects of the clock-modulating compound NOB in cholesterol and BA metabolism, suggesting pharmacological manipulation of the clock as a novel therapeutic strategy against metabolic disorders and age-related decline.

MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptors are expressed in nonoverlapping neuronal populations

Melatonin (MLT) exerts its physiological effects principally through two high-affinity membrane receptors MT1 and MT2. Understanding the exact mechanism of MLT action necessitates the use of highly selective agonists/antagonists to stimulate/inhibit a given MLT receptor. The respective distribution of MT1 and MT2 within the CNS and elsewhere is controversial, and here we used a "knock-in" strategy replacing MT1 or MT2 coding sequences with a LacZ reporter. The data show striking differences in the distribution of MT1 and MT2 receptors in the mouse brain: whereas the MT1 subtype was expressed in very few structures (notably including the suprachiasmatic nucleus and pars tuberalis), MT2 subtype receptors were identified within numerous brain regions including the olfactory bulb, forebrain, hippocampus, amygdala and superior colliculus. Co-expression of the two subtypes was observed in very few structures, and even within these areas they were rarely present in the same individual cell. In conclusion, the expression and distribution of MT2 receptors are much more widespread than previously thought, and there is virtually no correspondence between MT1 and MT2 cellular expression. The precise phenotyping of cells/neurons containing MT1 or MT2 receptor subtypes opens new perspectives for the characterization of links between MLT brain targets, MLT actions and specific MLT receptor subtypes.

Circadian dysfunction in the Q175 model of Huntington's disease: Network analysis

Disturbances in sleep/wake cycle are a common complaint of individuals with Huntington's disease (HD) and are displayed by HD mouse models. The underlying mechanisms, including the possible role of the circadian timing system, have been the topic of a number of recent studies. The (z)Q175 mouse is a knock-in model in which the human exon 1 sequence of the huntingtin gene is inserted into the mouse DNA with approximately 190 CAG repeats. Among the numerous models available, the heterozygous Q175 offers strong construct validity with a single copy of the mutation, genetic precision of the insertion and control of mutation copy number. In this review, we will summarize the evidence that this model exhibits disrupted diurnal and circadian rhythms in locomotor activity. We found overwhelming evidence for autonomic dysfunction including blunted daily rhythms in heart rate and core body temperature (CBT), reduced heart rate variability, and almost a complete failure of the sympathetic arm of the autonomic nervous system to function during the baroreceptor reflex. Mechanistically, the Q175 mouse model exhibits deficits in the neural output of the central circadian clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus along with an enhancement of at least one type of potassium current in these neurons. Finally, we report a novel network analysis examining the phase coherence between activity, CBT, and cardiovascular measures. Such analyses found that even young Q175 mutants (heterozygous or homozygous) show coherence degradation, and suggests that loss of phase coherence is a variable that should be considered as a possible biomarker for HD.

Do Disruptions in the Circadian Timing System Contribute to Autonomic Dysfunction in Huntington's Disease?

Huntington's disease (HD) patients suffer from a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that inflicts both motor and non-motor symptoms. HD is caused by a CAG repeat expansion within the first exon of the huntingtin (HTT) gene that produces a polyglutamine repeat that leads to protein misfolding, soluble aggregates, and inclusion bodies detected throughout the body. Both clinical and preclinical research indicate that cardiovascular dysfunction should be considered a core symptom in at least a subset of HD patients. There is strong evidence for dysautonomia (dysfunctional autonomic nervous system, ANS) in HD patients that can be detected early in the disease progression. The temporal patterning of ANS function is controlled by the circadian timing system based in the anterior hypothalamus. Patients with neurodegenerative diseases including HD exhibit disrupted sleep/wake cycle and, in preclinical models, there is compelling evidence that the circadian timing system is compromised early in the disease process. Here we review data from preclinical models of HD that explore the intersection between disruption of circadian rhythms and dysautonomia. This work will lead to new therapeutic strategies and standards of care for HD and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Telling the Time with a Broken Clock: Quantifying Circadian Disruption in Animal Models

Circadian rhythms are approximately 24 h cycles in physiology and behaviour that enable organisms to anticipate predictable rhythmic changes in their environment. These rhythms are a hallmark of normal healthy physiology, and disruption of circadian rhythms has implications for cognitive, metabolic, cardiovascular and immune function. Circadian disruption is of increasing concern, and may occur as a result of the pressures of our modern 24/7 society—including artificial light exposure, shift-work and jet-lag. In addition, circadian disruption is a common comorbidity in many different conditions, ranging from aging to neurological disorders. A key feature of circadian disruption is the breakdown of robust, reproducible rhythms with increasing fragmentation between activity and rest. Circadian researchers have developed a range of methods for estimating the period of time series, typically based upon periodogram analysis. However, the methods used to quantify circadian disruption across the literature are not consistent. Here we describe a range of different measures that have been used to measure circadian disruption, with a particular focus on laboratory rodent data. These methods include periodogram power, variability in activity onset, light phase activity, activity bouts, interdaily stability, intradaily variability and relative amplitude. The strengths and limitations of these methods are described, as well as their normal ranges and interrelationships. Whilst there is an increasing appreciation of circadian disruption as both a risk to health and a potential therapeutic target, greater consistency in the quantification of disrupted rhythms is needed.

Chronotherapies for Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second-most common progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Although the clinical diagnosis of PD is still based on its cardinal motor dysfunctions, several non-motor symptoms (NMS) have been established as integral part of the disease. Unlike motor disorders, development of therapies against NMS are still challenging and remain a critical unmet clinical need. During the last decade, several studies have characterised the molecular, physiological and behavioural alterations of the circadian system in PD patients. As a consequence, and given the ubiquitous nature of circadian rhythms in the entire organism, the biological clock has emerged as a potential therapeutic target to ease suffering from both motor and NMS in PD patients. Here we discuss the emerging field of using bright light, physical exercise and melatonin as chronotherapeutic tools to alleviate motor disorders, sleep/wake alterations, anxiety and depression in PD patients. We also highlight the potential of these readily available therapies to improve the general quality of life and wellbeing of PD patients. Finally, we provide specific data- and mechanisms-driven recommendations that might help improve the therapeutic benefit of light and physical exercise in PD patients.

Acute restraint stress modifies the heart rate biorhythm in the poststress period

We studied the changes in the heart and the activity biorhythms in mice exposed to acute (one 120-minute session) and repeated (7 two-hour sessions) restraint stress in 129J1/CF1 mice (WT) and in mice without M₂ muscarinic receptors (M₂KO) during the prestress period, during stress (STR) and for five days after the last stress session (POST). There were changes in the mesor (a midline based on the distribution of values across the circadian cycles; decreased in M₂KO by 6% over all POST), day means (inactive period of diurnal rhythm in mice; higher in M₂KO and further increased on STR and on the second to the fifth POST) and night means (active period; lower by 13% in M₂KO and remained decreased in STR and in POST). The total area under the curve was decreased both in the WT and M₂KO on STR and in all POST. Repeated stress caused changes over all days of STR, but the initial values were restored in POST. The average night values were decreased, and the day means were increased by 16% over all STR in M₂KO. The day means decreased by 14% in the 4 POST in WT. The activity biorhythm parameters were almost unchanged. We show here that stress can specifically affect heart biorhythm in M₂KO mice, especially when the stress is acute. This implies the role of M₂ muscarinic receptor in stress response.