1
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Park Y, Kang HG, Kang SJ, Ku HO, Zarbl H, Fang MZ, Park JH. Combined use of multiparametric high-content-screening and in vitro circadian reporter assays in neurotoxicity evaluation. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:1485-1498. [PMID: 38483585 PMCID: PMC10965668 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03686-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates that chronic circadian rhythm disruption is associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases induced by exposure to neurotoxic chemicals. Herein, we examined the relationship between cellular circadian rhythm disruption and cytotoxicity in neural cells. Moreover, we evaluated the potential application of an in vitro cellular circadian rhythm assay in determining circadian rhythm disruption as a sensitive and early marker of neurotoxicant-induced adverse effects. To explore these objectives, we established an in vitro cellular circadian rhythm assay using human glioblastoma (U87 MG) cells stably transfected with a circadian reporter vector (PER2-dLuc) and determined the lowest-observed-adverse-effect levels (LOAELs) of several common neurotoxicants. Additionally, we determined the LOAEL of each compound on multiple cytotoxicity endpoints (nuclear size [NC], mitochondrial membrane potential [MMP], calcium ions, or lipid peroxidation) using a multiparametric high-content screening (HCS) assay using transfected U87 MG cells treated with the same neurotoxicants for 24 and 72 h. Based on our findings, the LOAEL for cellular circadian rhythm disruption for most chemicals was slightly higher than that for most cytotoxicity indicators detected using HCS, and the LOAEL for MMP in the first 24 h was the closest to that for cellular circadian rhythm disruption. Dietary antioxidants (methylselenocysteine and N-acetyl-l-cysteine) prevented or restored neurotoxicant-induced cellular circadian rhythm disruption. Our results suggest that cellular circadian rhythm disruption is as sensitive as cytotoxicity indicators and occurs early as much as cytotoxic events during disease development. Moreover, the in vitro cellular circadian rhythm assay warrants further evaluation as an early screening tool for neurotoxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngil Park
- Laboratory Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea
- Veterinary Drugs and Biologics Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon-Si, 39660, Korea
| | - Hwan-Goo Kang
- Veterinary Drugs and Biologics Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon-Si, 39660, Korea
- Department of Animal Health and Welfare, Semyung University, 65, Semyung Ro, Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk‑do, Korea
| | - Seok-Jin Kang
- Veterinary Drugs and Biologics Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon-Si, 39660, Korea
| | - Hyun-Ok Ku
- Veterinary Drugs and Biologics Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon-Si, 39660, Korea
| | - Helmut Zarbl
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, NIEHS Center for Environmental Exposure and Disease, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ08854, USA
| | - Ming-Zhu Fang
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, NIEHS Center for Environmental Exposure and Disease, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ08854, USA
| | - Jae-Hak Park
- Laboratory Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea.
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2
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Koike N, Umemura Y, Inokawa H, Tokuda I, Tsuchiya Y, Sasawaki Y, Umemura A, Masuzawa N, Yabumoto K, Seya T, Sugimoto A, Yoo SH, Chen Z, Yagita K. Inter-individual variations in circadian misalignment-induced NAFLD pathophysiology in mice. iScience 2024; 27:108934. [PMID: 38533453 PMCID: PMC10964262 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Pathological consequences of circadian misalignment, such as shift work, show considerable individual differences, but the lack of mechanistic understanding hinders precision prevention to prevent and mitigate disease symptoms. Here, we employed an integrative approach involving physiological, transcriptional, and histological phenotypes to examine inter-individual differences in pre-symptomatic pathological progression, preceding irreversible disease onset, in wild-type mice exposed to chronic jet-lag (CJL). We observed that CJL markedly increased the prevalence of hepatic steatosis with pronounced inter-individual differences. Stratification of individual mice based on CJL-induced hepatic transcriptomic signature, validated by histopathological analysis, pinpoints dysregulation of lipid metabolism. Moreover, the period and power of intrinsic behavioral rhythms were found to significantly correlate with CJL-induced gene signatures. Together, our results suggest circadian rhythm robustness of the animals contributes to inter-individual variations in pathogenesis of circadian misalignment-induced diseases and raise the possibility that these physiological indicators may be available for predictive hallmarks of circadian rhythm disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuya Koike
- Department of Physiology and Systems Bioscience, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Umemura
- Department of Physiology and Systems Bioscience, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Inokawa
- Department of Physiology and Systems Bioscience, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
- Department of Human Nutrition, Chugoku Gakuen University, Okayama 701-0197, Japan
| | - Isao Tokuda
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu 525-8577, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Tsuchiya
- Department of Physiology and Systems Bioscience, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Yuh Sasawaki
- Department of Physiology and Systems Bioscience, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Atsushi Umemura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Naoko Masuzawa
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Otsu City Hospital, Otsu 520-0804, Japan
| | - Kazuya Yabumoto
- Department of Physiology and Systems Bioscience, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Takashi Seya
- Department of Physiology and Systems Bioscience, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Akira Sugimoto
- Department of Physiology and Systems Bioscience, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Seung-Hee Yoo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zheng Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kazuhiro Yagita
- Department of Physiology and Systems Bioscience, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
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3
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Silva EHA, Santana NNM, Seixas NRM, Bezerra LLF, Silva MMO, Santos SF, Cavalcante JS, Leocadio-Miguel MA, Engelberth RC. Blue light exposure-dependent improvement in robustness of circadian rest-activity rhythm in aged rats. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292342. [PMID: 37792859 PMCID: PMC10550138 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The aging effects on circadian rhythms have diverse implications including changes in the pattern of rhythmic expressions, such as a wide fragmentation of the rhythm of rest-activity and decrease in amplitude of activity regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The study of blue light on biological aspects has received great current interest due, among some aspects, to its positive effects on psychiatric disorders in humans. This study aims to evaluate the effect of blue light therapy on the SCN functional aspects, through the evaluation of the rest-activity rhythm, in aging rats. For this, 33 sixteen-months-old male Wistar rats underwent continuous records of locomotor activity and were exposed to periods of 6 hours of blue light during the first half of the light phase (Zeitgeber times 0-6) for 14 days. After this, the rats were maintained at 12h:12h light:dark cycle to check the long-term effect of blue light for 14 days. Blue light repeated exposure showed positive effects on the rhythmic variables of locomotor activity in aged rats, particularly the increase in amplitude, elevation of rhythmic robustness, phase advance in acrophase, and greater consolidation of the resting phase. This effect depends on the presence of daily blue light exposure. In conclusion, our results indicate that blue light is a reliable therapy to reduce circadian dysfunctions in aged rats, but other studies assessing how blue light modulates the neural components to modulate this response are still needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eryck Holmes A. Silva
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | | | - Narita Renata M. Seixas
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Lyzandro Lucas F. Bezerra
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Maria Milena O. Silva
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Sâmarah F. Santos
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Jeferson S. Cavalcante
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | | | - Rovena Clara Engelberth
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
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4
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Richardson MES, Browne CA, Mazariegos CIH. Reversible suppression of circadian-driven locomotor rhythms in mice using a gradual fragmentation of the day-night cycle. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14423. [PMID: 37660212 PMCID: PMC10475134 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41029-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Circadian rhythms are regulated by molecular clockwork and drive 24-h behaviors such as locomotor activity, which can be rendered non-functional through genetic knockouts of clock genes. Circadian rhythms are robust in constant darkness (DD) but are modulated to become exactly 24 h by the external day-night cycle. Whether ill-timed light and dark exposure can render circadian behaviors non-functional to the extent of genetic knockouts is less clear. In this study, we discovered an environmental approach that led to a reduction or lack in rhythmic 24-h-circadian wheel-running locomotor behavior in mice (referred to as arrhythmicity). We first observed behavioral circadian arrhythmicity when mice were gradually exposed to a previously published disruptive environment called the fragmented day-night cycle (FDN-G), while maintaining activity alignment with the four dispersed fragments of darkness. Remarkably, upon exposure to constant darkness (DD) or constant light (LL), FDN-G mice lost any resemblance to the FDN-G-only phenotype and instead, exhibited sporadic activity bursts. Circadian rhythms are maintained in control mice with sudden FDN exposure (FDN-S) and fully restored in FDN-G mice either spontaneously in DD or after 12 h:12 h light-dark exposure. This is the first study to generate a light-dark environment that induces reversible suppression of circadian locomotor rhythms in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa E S Richardson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Oakwood University, 7000 Adventist Blvd., Huntsville, AL, 35896, USA.
| | - Chérie-Akilah Browne
- Department of Biological Sciences, Oakwood University, 7000 Adventist Blvd., Huntsville, AL, 35896, USA
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5
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Zeman M, Okuliarova M, Rumanova VS. Disturbances of Hormonal Circadian Rhythms by Light Pollution. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087255. [PMID: 37108420 PMCID: PMC10138516 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The circadian rhythms evolved to anticipate and cope with cyclic changes in environmental conditions. This adaptive function is currently compromised by increasing levels of artificial light at night (ALAN), which can represent a risk for the development of diseases of civilisation. The causal links are not completely understood, and this featured review focuses on the chronodisruption of the neuroendocrine control of physiology and behaviour by dim ALAN. The published data indicate that low levels of ALAN (2-5 lux) can attenuate the molecular mechanisms generating circadian rhythms in the central oscillator, eliminate the rhythmic changes in dominant hormonal signals, such as melatonin, testosterone and vasopressin, and interfere with the circadian rhythm of the dominant glucocorticoid corticosterone in rodents. These changes are associated with a disturbed daily pattern of metabolic changes and behavioural rhythms in activity and food and water intake. The increasing levels of ALAN require the identification of the pathways mediating possible negative consequences on health to design effective mitigation strategies to eliminate or minimise the effects of light pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Zeman
- Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Monika Okuliarova
- Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Valentina Sophia Rumanova
- Department of Animal Physiology and Ethology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
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6
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Verma AK, Singh S, Rizvi SI. Aging, circadian disruption and neurodegeneration: Interesting interplay. Exp Gerontol 2023; 172:112076. [PMID: 36574855 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2022.112076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The circadian system is an intricate molecular network of coordinating circadian clocks that organize the internal synchrony of the organism in response to the environment. These rhythms are maintained by genetically programmed positive and negative auto-regulated transcriptional and translational feedback loops that sustain 24-hour oscillations in mRNA and protein components of the endogenous circadian clock. Since inter and intracellular activity of the central pacemaker appears to reduce with aging, the interaction between the circadian clock and aging continues to elude our understanding. In this review article, we discuss circadian clock components at the molecular level and how aging adversely affects circadian clock functioning in rodents and humans. The natural decline in melatonin levels with aging strongly contributes to circadian dysregulation resulting in the development of neurological anomalies. Additionally, inappropriate environmental conditions such as Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) can cause circadian disruption or chronodisruption (CD) which can result in a variety of pathological diseases, including premature aging. Furthermore, we summarize recent evidence suggesting that CD may also be a predisposing factor for the development of age-related neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD), although more investigation is required to prove this link. Finally, certain chrono-enhancement approaches have been offered as intervention strategies to prevent, alleviate, or mitigate the impacts of CD. This review thus aims to bring together recent advancements in the chronobiology of the aging process, as well as its role in NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avnish Kumar Verma
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Allahabad, Allahabad 211002, India
| | - Sandeep Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Allahabad, Allahabad 211002, India; Psychedelics Research Group, Biological Psychiatry Laboratory and Hadassah BrainLabs, Hadassah Medical Center, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Syed Ibrahim Rizvi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Allahabad, Allahabad 211002, India.
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7
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Meyer C, Schoettner K, Amir S. The effects of circadian desynchronization on alcohol consumption and affective behavior during alcohol abstinence in female rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:1044783. [PMID: 36620855 PMCID: PMC9813852 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.1044783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Disruption of circadian rhythmicity distorts physiological and psychological processes and has major consequences on health and well-being. A chronic misalignment within the internal time-keeping system modulates alcohol consumption and contributes to stress-related psychiatric disorders which are known to trigger alcohol misuse and relapse. While there is growing evidence of the deleterious impact of circadian disruption on male physiology and behavior, knowledge about the effect in females remains limited. The present study aims to fill the gap by assessing the relationship between internal desynchronization and alcohol intake behavior in female rats. Female Wistar rats kept under standard 24-h, 22-h light-dark conditions, or chronic 6-h advanced phase shifts, were given intermittent access to 20% alcohol followed by an extended alcohol deprivation period. Alcohol consumption under altered light-dark (LD) conditions was assessed and emotional behavior during alcohol abstinence was evaluated. Internally desynchronization in female rats does not affect alcohol consumption but alters scores of emotionality during alcohol abstinence. Changes in affective-like behaviors were accompanied by reduced body weight gain and estrous irregularities under aberrant LD conditions. Our data suggest that internal desynchronization caused by environmental factors is not a major factor contributing to the onset and progression of alcohol abuse, but highlights the need of maintaining circadian hygiene as a supportive remedy during alcohol rehabilitation.
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8
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Banks G, Nolan PM, Bourbia N. Shift work-like patterns effect on female and male mouse behavior. Neurobiol Sleep Circadian Rhythms 2022; 13:100082. [PMID: 36267148 PMCID: PMC9576555 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbscr.2022.100082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Shift work (work outside of standard daylight hours) is common throughout the Western world. However, there are notable health consequences to shift work, including increased prevalence of mental health and sleep disorders in shift worker populations. Therefore, the health and wellbeing of shift workers is a public health concern that needs to be addressed. Here we investigate the effects of two separate light induced shift work-like patterns on male and female mouse behaviour (anxiety-like, exploration, marble burying, startle reflex and circadian rhythms). After 6 weeks of shift-like disruptions patterns, animals displayed no behavioral differences in exploration, marble burying and startle reflex. Interestingly however, we identified sex specific and disruption specific effects in light aversion and wheel running activities. Notably, analysis of the activity patterns of animals in disruptive conditions demonstrated that they maintained a degree of rhythmicity through the disruption period, which may explain the lack of behavioral differences in most behavioral tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth Banks
- MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Harwell, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Patrick M. Nolan
- MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Harwell, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Nora Bourbia
- MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Harwell, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
- UK Health Security Agency, Harwell Campus, Chilton, Didcot, OX11 0RQ, UK
- Corresponding author. UK Health Security Agency, Harwell Campus, Chilton, Didcot, OX11 0RD, UK.
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9
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Silva RFO, Pinho BR, Santos MM, Oliveira JMA. Disruptions of circadian rhythms, sleep, and stress responses in zebrafish: New infrared-based activity monitoring assays for toxicity assessment. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 305:135449. [PMID: 35750227 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Behavioural disruptions are sensitive indicators of alterations to normal animal physiology and can be used for toxicity assessment. The small vertebrate zebrafish is a leading model organism for toxicological studies. The ability to continuously monitor the toxicity of drugs, pollutants, or environmental changes over several days in zebrafish can have high practical application. Although video-recordings can be used to monitor short-term zebrafish behaviour, it is challenging to videorecord prolonged experiments (e.g. circadian behaviour over several days) because of the darkness periods (nights) and the heavy data storage and image processing requirements. Alternatively, infrared-based activity monitors, widely used in invertebrate models such as drosophila, generate simple and low-storage data and could optimize large-scale prolonged behavioural experiments in zebrafish, thus favouring the implementation of high-throughput testing strategies. Here, we validate the use of a Locomotor Activity Monitor (LAM) to study the behaviour of zebrafish larvae, and we characterize the behavioural phenotypes induced by abnormal light conditions and by the Parkinsonian toxin MPP+. When zebrafish were deprived from daily light-cycle synchronization, the LAM detected various circadian disruptions, such as increased activity period, phase shifts, and decreased inter-daily stability. Zebrafish exposed to MPP+ (10, 100, 500 μM) showed a concentration-dependent decrease in activity, sleep disruptions, impaired habituation to repetitive startles (visual-motor responses), and a slower recovery to normal activity after the startle-associated stress. These phenotypes evidence the feasibility of using infrared-based LAM to assess multi-parameter behavioural disruptions in zebrafish. The procedures in this study have wide applicability and may yield standard methods for toxicity testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui F O Silva
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Brígida R Pinho
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Miguel M Santos
- CIMAR/CIIMAR - LA - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Group of Endocrine Disruptors and Emerging Contaminants and FCUP- Dep. Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Jorge M A Oliveira
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal.
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10
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Delorme TC, Srikanta SB, Fisk AS, Cloutier MÈ, Sato M, Pothecary CA, Merz C, Foster RG, Brown SA, Peirson SN, Cermakian N, Banks GT. Chronic Exposure to Dim Light at Night or Irregular Lighting Conditions Impact Circadian Behavior, Motor Coordination, and Neuronal Morphology. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:855154. [PMID: 35495037 PMCID: PMC9043330 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.855154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Mistimed exposure to light has been demonstrated to negatively affect multiple aspects of physiology and behavior. Here we analyzed the effects of chronic exposure to abnormal lighting conditions in mice. We exposed mice for 1 year to either: a standard light/dark cycle, a “light-pollution” condition in which low levels of light were present in the dark phase of the circadian cycle (dim light at night, DLAN), or altered light cycles in which the length of the weekday and weekend light phase differed by 6 h (“social jetlag”). Mice exhibited several circadian activity phenotypes, as well as changes in motor function, associated particularly with the DLAN condition. Our data suggest that these phenotypes might be due to changes outside the core clock. Dendritic spine changes in other brain regions raise the possibility that these phenotypes are mediated by changes in neuronal coordination outside of the clock. Given the prevalence of artificial light exposure in the modern world, further work is required to establish whether these negative effects are observed in humans as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara C. Delorme
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Shashank B. Srikanta
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Angus S. Fisk
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Marie-Ève Cloutier
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Miho Sato
- Chronobiology and Sleep Research Group, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Carina A. Pothecary
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Chantal Merz
- Chronobiology and Sleep Research Group, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Russell G. Foster
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Steven A. Brown
- Chronobiology and Sleep Research Group, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stuart N. Peirson
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nicolas Cermakian
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Nicolas Cermakian,
| | - Gareth T. Banks
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
- Gareth T. Banks,
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11
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Automated analysis of activity, sleep, and rhythmic behaviour in various animal species with the Rtivity software. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4179. [PMID: 35264711 PMCID: PMC8907194 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08195-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Behavioural studies provide insights into normal and disrupted biological mechanisms. In many research areas, a growing spectrum of animal models—particularly small organisms—is used for high-throughput studies with infrared-based activity monitors, generating counts per time data. The freely available software to analyse such data, however, are primarily optimized for drosophila and circadian analysis. Researchers investigating other species or non-circadian behaviour would thus benefit from a more versatile software. Here we report the development of a free and open-source software—Rtivity—allowing customisation of species-specific parameters, and offering a versatile analysis of behavioural patterns, biological rhythms, stimulus responses, and survival. Rtivity is based on the R language and uses Shiny and the recently developed Rethomics package for a user-friendly graphical interface without requiring coding skills. Rtivity automatically assesses survival, computes various activity, sleep, and rhythmicity parameters, and performs fractal analysis of activity fluctuations. Rtivity generates multiple informative graphs, and exports structured data for efficient interoperability with common statistical software. In summary, Rtivity facilitates and enhances the versatility of the behavioural analysis of diverse animal species (e.g. drosophila, zebrafish, daphnia, ants). It is thus suitable for a broad range of researchers from multidisciplinary fields such as ecology, neurobiology, toxicology, and pharmacology.
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12
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Steel LCE, Tir S, Tam SKE, Bussell JN, Spitschan M, Foster RG, Peirson SN. Effects of Cage Position and Light Transmission on Home Cage Activity and Circadian Entrainment in Mice. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:832535. [PMID: 35082600 PMCID: PMC8784806 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.832535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Light is known to exert powerful effects on behavior and physiology, including upon the amount and distribution of activity across the day/night cycle. Here we use home cage activity monitoring to measure the effect of differences in home cage light spectrum and intensity on key circadian activity parameters in mice. Due to the relative positioning of any individually ventilated cage (IVC) with regard to the animal facility lighting, notable differences in light intensity occur across the IVC rack. Although all mice were found to be entrained, significant differences in the timing of activity onset and differences in activity levels were found between mice housed in standard versus red filtering cages. Furthermore, by calculating the effective irradiance based upon the known mouse photopigments, a significant relationship between light intensity and key circadian parameters are shown. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the important role of the circadian photopigment melanopsin in circadian entrainment, melanopic illuminance is shown to correlate more strongly with key circadian activity parameters than photopic lux. Collectively, our results suggest that differences in light intensity may reflect an uncharacterized source of variation in laboratory rodent research, with potential consequences for reproducibility. Room design and layout vary within and between facilities, and caging design and lighting location relative to cage position can be highly variable. We suggest that cage position should be factored into experimental design, and wherever possible, experimental lighting conditions should be characterized as a way of accounting for this source of variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C. E. Steel
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Sir Jules Thorn Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute (SCNi), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Selma Tir
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Sir Jules Thorn Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute (SCNi), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Shu K. E. Tam
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Sir Jules Thorn Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute (SCNi), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - James N. Bussell
- Department of Biomedical Services, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Manuel Spitschan
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
- TUM Department of Sport and Health Sciences (TUM SG), Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Russell G. Foster
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Sir Jules Thorn Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute (SCNi), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart N. Peirson
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Sir Jules Thorn Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute (SCNi), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Stuart N. Peirson,
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13
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Cable J, Schernhammer E, Hanlon EC, Vetter C, Cedernaes J, Makarem N, Dashti HS, Shechter A, Depner C, Ingiosi A, Blume C, Tan X, Gottlieb E, Benedict C, Van Cauter E, St-Onge MP. Sleep and circadian rhythms: pillars of health-a Keystone Symposia report. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2021; 1506:18-34. [PMID: 34341993 PMCID: PMC8688158 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The human circadian system consists of the master clock in the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus as well as in peripheral molecular clocks located in organs throughout the body. This system plays a major role in the temporal organization of biological and physiological processes, such as body temperature, blood pressure, hormone secretion, gene expression, and immune functions, which all manifest consistent diurnal patterns. Many facets of modern life, such as work schedules, travel, and social activities, can lead to sleep/wake and eating schedules that are misaligned relative to the biological clock. This misalignment can disrupt and impair physiological and psychological parameters that may ultimately put people at higher risk for chronic diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other metabolic disorders. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate sleep circadian rhythms may ultimately lead to insights on behavioral interventions that can lower the risk of these diseases. On February 25, 2021, experts in sleep, circadian rhythms, and chronobiology met virtually for the Keystone eSymposium "Sleep & Circadian Rhythms: Pillars of Health" to discuss the latest research for understanding the bidirectional relationships between sleep, circadian rhythms, and health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eva Schernhammer
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Erin C Hanlon
- Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Céline Vetter
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Jonathan Cedernaes
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Nour Makarem
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Hassan S Dashti
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ari Shechter
- Department of Medicine and Sleep Center of Excellence, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Christopher Depner
- Department of Health and Kinesiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Ashley Ingiosi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington
| | - Christine Blume
- Centre for Chronobiology, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, and Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Xiao Tan
- Department of Neuroscience (Sleep Science, BMC), Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Elie Gottlieb
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, and University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christian Benedict
- Department of Neuroscience (Sleep Science, BMC), Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Eve Van Cauter
- Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Marie-Pierre St-Onge
- Sleep Center of Excellence, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
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14
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Ang G, Brown LA, Tam SKE, Davies KE, Foster RG, Harrison PJ, Sprengel R, Vyazovskiy VV, Oliver PL, Bannerman DM, Peirson SN. Deletion of AMPA receptor GluA1 subunit gene (Gria1) causes circadian rhythm disruption and aberrant responses to environmental cues. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:588. [PMID: 34782594 PMCID: PMC8593011 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01690-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction of the glutamate α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor GluA1 subunit and deficits in synaptic plasticity are implicated in schizophrenia and sleep and circadian rhythm disruption. To investigate the role of GluA1 in circadian and sleep behaviour, we used wheel-running, passive-infrared, and video-based home-cage activity monitoring to assess daily rest-activity profiles of GluA1-knockout mice (Gria1-/-). We showed that these mice displayed various circadian abnormalities, including misaligned, fragmented, and more variable rest-activity patterns. In addition, they showed heightened, but transient, behavioural arousal to light→dark and dark→light transitions, as well as attenuated nocturnal-light-induced activity suppression (negative masking). In the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), nocturnal-light-induced cFos signals (a molecular marker of neuronal activity in the preceding ~1-2 h) were attenuated, indicating reduced light sensitivity in the SCN. However, there was no change in the neuroanatomical distribution of expression levels of two neuropeptides-vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and arginine vasopressin (AVP)-differentially expressed in the core (ventromedial) vs. shell (dorsolateral) SCN subregions and both are known to be important for neuronal synchronisation within the SCN and circadian rhythmicity. In the motor cortex (area M1/M2), there was increased inter-individual variability in cFos levels during the evening period, mirroring the increased inter-individual variability in locomotor activity under nocturnal light. Finally, in the spontaneous odour recognition task GluA1 knockouts' short-term memory was impaired due to enhanced attention to the recently encountered familiar odour. These abnormalities due to altered AMPA-receptor-mediated signalling resemble and may contribute to sleep and circadian rhythm disruption and attentional deficits in different modalities in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gauri Ang
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute (SCNi), Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Laurence A Brown
- Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute (SCNi), Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- IT Services, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Shu K E Tam
- Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute (SCNi), Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Kay E Davies
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Russell G Foster
- Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute (SCNi), Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Paul J Harrison
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Rolf Sprengel
- Research Group of the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research at the Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Vladyslav V Vyazovskiy
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute (SCNi), Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Peter L Oliver
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell, UK.
| | - David M Bannerman
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Stuart N Peirson
- Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute (SCNi), Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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15
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Deurveilher S, Ko KR, Saumure BSC, Robertson GS, Rusak B, Semba K. Altered circadian activity and sleep/wake rhythms in the stable tubule only polypeptide (STOP) null mouse model of schizophrenia. Sleep 2021; 44:5981350. [PMID: 33186470 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsaa237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Sleep and circadian rhythm disruptions commonly occur in individuals with schizophrenia. Stable tubule only polypeptide (STOP) knockout (KO) mice show behavioral impairments resembling symptoms of schizophrenia. We previously reported that STOP KO mice slept less and had more fragmented sleep and waking than wild-type littermates under a light/dark (LD) cycle. Here, we assessed the circadian phenotype of male STOP KO mice by examining wheel-running activity rhythms and EEG/EMG-defined sleep/wake states under both LD and constant darkness (DD) conditions. Wheel-running activity rhythms in KO and wild-type mice were similarly entrained in LD, and had similar free-running periods in DD. The phase delay shift in response to a light pulse given early in the active phase under DD was preserved in KO mice. KO mice had markedly lower activity levels, lower amplitude activity rhythms, less stable activity onsets, and more fragmented activity than wild-type mice in both lighting conditions. KO mice also spent more time awake and less time in rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) and non-REMS (NREMS) in both LD and DD conditions, with the decrease in NREMS concentrated in the active phase. KO mice also showed altered EEG features and higher amplitude rhythms in wake and NREMS (but not REMS) amounts in both lighting conditions, with a longer free-running period in DD, compared to wild-type mice. These results indicate that the STOP null mutation in mice altered the regulation of sleep/wake physiology and activity rhythm expression, but did not grossly disrupt circadian mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Deurveilher
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Kristin Robin Ko
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Brock St C Saumure
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - George S Robertson
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Benjamin Rusak
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Kazue Semba
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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16
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Tackenberg MC, Hughey JJ. The risks of using the chi-square periodogram to estimate the period of biological rhythms. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1008567. [PMID: 33406069 PMCID: PMC7815206 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The chi-square periodogram (CSP), developed over 40 years ago, continues to be one of the most popular methods to estimate the period of circadian (circa 24-h) rhythms. Previous work has indicated the CSP is sometimes less accurate than other methods, but understanding of why and under what conditions remains incomplete. Using simulated rhythmic time-courses, we found that the CSP is prone to underestimating the period in a manner that depends on the true period and the length of the time-course. This underestimation bias is most severe in short time-courses (e.g., 3 days), but is also visible in longer simulated time-courses (e.g., 12 days) and in experimental time-courses of mouse wheel-running and ex vivo bioluminescence. We traced the source of the bias to discontinuities in the periodogram that are related to the number of time-points the CSP uses to calculate the observed variance for a given test period. By revising the calculation to avoid discontinuities, we developed a new version, the greedy CSP, that shows reduced bias and improved accuracy. Nonetheless, even the greedy CSP tended to be less accurate on our simulated time-courses than an alternative method, namely the Lomb-Scargle periodogram. Thus, although our study describes a major improvement to a classic method, it also suggests that users should generally avoid the CSP when estimating the period of biological rhythms. The chi-square periodogram is a popular method for estimating period length, one of the most important properties of the daily biological rhythms found throughout nature. In this study, we identify a major source of inaccuracy in the chi-square periodogram, and quantify the inaccuracy using a broad array of simulated and experimentally observed biological rhythms. Although we revise the chi-square periodogram calculation to improve its accuracy, we also show that the revised version is still less accurate than an alternative method, the Lomb-Scargle periodogram. Our work thus provides evidence on how to obtain better estimates of the period of biological rhythms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C. Tackenberg
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Jacob J. Hughey
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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17
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Wang HB, Tahara Y, Luk SHC, Kim YS, Hitchcock ON, MacDowell Kaswan ZA, In Kim Y, Block GD, Ghiani CA, Loh DH, Colwell CS. Melatonin treatment of repetitive behavioral deficits in the Cntnap2 mouse model of autism spectrum disorder. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 145:105064. [PMID: 32889171 PMCID: PMC7597927 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huei Bin Wang
- Molecular, Cellular, Integrative Physiology Graduate Program, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, USA; Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, USA
| | - Yu Tahara
- Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, USA
| | - Shu Hon Christopher Luk
- Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, USA
| | - Yoon-Sik Kim
- Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, USA
| | - Olivia N Hitchcock
- Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, USA
| | - Zoe A MacDowell Kaswan
- Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, USA
| | - Yang In Kim
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience Research Institute, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Gene D Block
- Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, USA
| | - Cristina A Ghiani
- Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, USA
| | - Dawn H Loh
- Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, USA
| | - Christopher S Colwell
- Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, USA.
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18
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Brown LA, Banks GT, Horner N, Wilcox SL, Nolan PM, Peirson SN. Simultaneous Assessment of Circadian Rhythms and Sleep in Mice Using Passive Infrared Sensors: A User's Guide. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 10:e81. [PMID: 32865891 DOI: 10.1002/cpmo.81] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The 24-hr cycle of activity and sleep provides perhaps the most familiar example of circadian rhythms. In mammals, circadian activity rhythms are generated by a master biological clock located in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN). This clock is synchronized (entrained) to the external light environment via light input from retinal photoreceptors. However, sleep is not a simple circadian output and also is regulated by a homeostatic process whereby extended wakefulness increases the need for subsequent sleep. As such, the amount and distribution of sleep depends upon the interaction between both circadian and homeostatic processes. Moreover, the study of circadian activity and sleep is not confined only to these specialized fields. Sleep and circadian rhythm disruption is common in many conditions, ranging from neurological and metabolic disorders to aging. Such disruption is associated with a range of negative consequences including cognitive impairment and mood disorders, as well as immune and metabolic dysfunction. As circadian activity and sleep are hallmarks of normal healthy physiology, they also provide valuable welfare indicators. However, traditional methods for the monitoring of circadian rhythms and sleep in mice can require separate specialized resources as well as significant expertise. Here, we outline a low-cost, non-invasive, and open-source method for the simultaneous assessment of circadian activity and sleep in mice. This protocol describes both the assembly of the hardware used and the capture and analysis of data without the need for expertise in electronics or data processing. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol: Assembly of a PIR system for basic activity and sleep recordings Alternate Protocol: Data collection using Raspberry Pi Support Protocol: Circadian analysis using PIR sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence A Brown
- Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute (SCNi), Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Research Support Team, IT Services, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Neil Horner
- Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute (SCNi), Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sian L Wilcox
- Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute (SCNi), Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Stuart N Peirson
- Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute (SCNi), Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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19
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Kaniewska MM, Vaněčková H, Doležel D, Kotwica-Rolinska J. Light and Temperature Synchronizes Locomotor Activity in the Linden Bug, Pyrrhocoris apterus. Front Physiol 2020; 11:242. [PMID: 32300305 PMCID: PMC7142227 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Circadian clocks are synchronized with the external environment by light and temperature. The effect of these cues on behavior is well-characterized in Drosophila, however, little is known about synchronization in non-model insect species. Therefore, we explored entrainment of locomotor activity by light and temperature in the linden bug Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera), an insect species with a strong seasonal response (reproductive diapause), which is triggered by both photoperiod and thermoperiod. Our results show that either light or temperature cycles are strong factors entraining P. apterus locomotor activity. Pyrrhocoris is able to be partially synchronized by cycles with temperature amplitude as small as 3°C and more than 50% of bugs is synchronized by 5°C steps. If conflicting zeitgebers are provided, light is the stronger signal. Linden bugs lack light-sensitive (Drosophila-like) cryptochrome. Notably, a high percentage of bugs is rhythmic even in constant light (LL) at intensity ∼400 lux, a condition which induces 100% arrhythmicity in Drosophila. However, the rhythmicity of bugs is still reduced in LL conditions, whereas rhythmicity remains unaffected in constant dark (DD). Interestingly, a similar phenomenon is observed after temperature cycles entrainment. Bugs released to constant thermophase and DD display weak rhythmicity, whereas strong rhythmicity is observed in bugs released to constant cryophase and DD. Our study describes the daily and circadian behavior of the linden bug as a response to photoperiodic and thermoperiodic entraining cues. Although the molecular mechanism of the circadian clock entrainment in the linden bug is virtually unknown, our study contributes to the knowledge of the insect circadian clock features beyond Drosophila research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Maria Kaniewska
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, Czechia.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Hana Vaněčková
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - David Doležel
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, Czechia.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Joanna Kotwica-Rolinska
- Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, Czechia
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20
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Melatonin Relations with Energy Metabolism as Possibly Involved in Fatal Mountain Road Traffic Accidents. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21062184. [PMID: 32235717 PMCID: PMC7139848 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous results evidenced acute exposure to high altitude (HA) weakening the relation between daily melatonin cycle and the respiratory quotient. This review deals with the threat extreme environments pose on body time order, particularly concerning energy metabolism. Working at HA, at poles, or in space challenge our ancestral inborn body timing system. This conflict may also mark many aspects of our current lifestyle, involving shift work, rapid time zone crossing, and even prolonged office work in closed buildings. Misalignments between external and internal rhythms, in the short term, traduce into risk of mental and physical performance shortfalls, mood changes, quarrels, drug and alcohol abuse, failure to accomplish with the mission and, finally, high rates of fatal accidents. Relations of melatonin with energy metabolism being altered under a condition of hypoxia focused our attention on interactions of the indoleamine with redox state, as well as, with autonomic regulations. Individual tolerance/susceptibility to such interactions may hint at adequately dealing with body timing disorders under extreme conditions.
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21
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Walbeek TJ, Harrison EM, Soler RR, Gorman MR. Enhanced Circadian Entrainment in Mice and Its Utility under Human Shiftwork Schedules. Clocks Sleep 2019; 1:394-413. [PMID: 33089177 PMCID: PMC7445835 DOI: 10.3390/clockssleep1030032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The circadian system is generally considered to be incapable of adjusting to rapid changes in sleep/work demands. In shiftworkers this leads to chronic circadian disruption and sleep loss, which together predict underperformance at work and negative health consequences. Two distinct experimental protocols have been proposed to increase circadian flexibility in rodents using dim light at night: rhythm bifurcation and T-cycle (i.e., day length) entrainment. Successful translation of such protocols to human shiftworkers could facilitate alignment of internal time with external demands. To assess entrainment flexibility following bifurcation and exposure to T-cycles, mice in Study 1 were repeatedly phase-shifted. Mice from experimental conditions rapidly phase-shifted their activity, while control mice showed expected transient misalignment. In Study 2 and 3, mice followed a several weeks-long intervention designed to model a modified DuPont or Continental shiftwork schedule, respectively. For both schedules, bifurcation and nocturnal dim lighting reduced circadian misalignment. Together, these studies demonstrate proof of concept that mammalian circadian systems can be rendered sufficiently flexible to adapt to multiple, rapidly changing shiftwork schedules. Flexible adaptation to exotic light-dark cycles likely relies on entrainment mechanisms that are distinct from traditional entrainment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thijs J. Walbeek
- Department of Psychology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Center for Circadian Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Correspondence: (T.J.W.); (M.R.G.); Tel.: +1-858-822-2466 (M.R.G.)
| | - Elizabeth M. Harrison
- Department of Psychology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Center for Circadian Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Robert R. Soler
- Department of Psychology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Michael R. Gorman
- Department of Psychology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Center for Circadian Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Correspondence: (T.J.W.); (M.R.G.); Tel.: +1-858-822-2466 (M.R.G.)
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