Circadian disruption and metabolic disease: findings from animal models.
Social opportunities and work demands have caused humans to become increasingly active during the late evening hours, leading to a shift from the predominantly diurnal lifestyle of our ancestors to a more nocturnal one. This voluntarily decision to stay awake long into the evening hours leads to circadian disruption at the system, tissue, and cellular levels. These derangements are in turn associated with clinical impairments in metabolic processes and physiology. The use of animal models for circadian disruption provides an important opportunity to determine mechanisms by which disorganization in the circadian system can lead to metabolic dysfunction in response to genetic, environmental, and behavioral perturbations. Here we review recent key animal studies involving circadian disruption and discuss the possible translational implications of these studies for human health and particularly for the development of metabolic disease.
Center for Sleep and Circadian Biology, Department of Neurobiology and Physiology Northwestern University, 2205 Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. d-arble@northwestern.edu
Deanna Marie
DM
Arble
Kathryn Moynihan
KM
Ramsey
Joseph
J
Bass
Fred W
FW
Turek
D000818:Animals; D001683:Biological Clocks / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008954:Models, Biological; D017440:Photoperiod; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology