title: Circadian rhythm of cholesterol biosynthesis: dietary regulation in the liver and small intestine of hamsters.
abstract: Sixty three hamsters were divided into two groups which were exposed to the same rigid lighting schedule (06(00)--18(00)) but fed at different time intervals (18(00)--22(00), and 08(00)--12(00), respectively) for five weeks. The cholesterol synthetic activity was then determined in liver, gastrointestinal tract, and kidney by in vivo incorporation of (1--14C)-acetate into cholesterol at different hours of the day. A remarkable circadian rhythm of the activity was found in the liver and small intestine, but not in other organs. Regardless of the lighting schedule, the nadir occurred, in both groups, always at the end of the fasting period and the peak four to six hours after feeding. The study clearly indicated the major role of diet in regulation of such phenomenon.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D006224:Cricetinae / Q000378:metabolism*; D004435:Eating; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus / Q000378:metabolism*; D009929:Organ Size
chemical_list: D002784:Cholesterol