title: [Effects of heat stress on Per2 mRNA expression in the liver of rats].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of acute heat stress on the day-night circadian gene Per2 mRNA expression in the liver of rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups and exposed to heat at 32 degrees celsius; or to a room temperature at 24 degrees celsius; (control). After 7 days of heat exposure, the body temperature was measured by telemetry. The relative weight of the pituitary and adrenal glands was determined after the exposure, and liver Per2 mRNA expression level was detected using RT-PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Acute heat stress did not obviously affect body temperature or body weight of the rats. Seven days of heat exposure increased the relative weight of the pituitary and adrenal glands and significantly lowered Per2 mRNA expression level at night.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acute heat stress can interfere with the day-night circadian gene Per2 mRNA expression in rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China. ghlee0404@163.com
authors.forename: Guanghua
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Qinghua
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Hongmei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Hongpeng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Shido
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands; D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature; D001835:Body Weight; D018869:Heat-Shock Response / Q000235:genetics*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D056950:Period Circadian Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010902:Pituitary Gland; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: C513311:Per2 protein, rat; D056950:Period Circadian Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger