title: Regulation of intestinal lipid absorption by clock genes.
abstract: Plasma levels of triacylglycerols and diacylglycerols, the lipoproteins that transport them, and proteins involved in their absorption from the intestinal lumen fluctuate in a circadian manner. These changes are likely controlled by clock genes expressed in the intestine that are probably synchronized by neuronal and humoral signals from the suprachiasmatic nuclei, which constitute a master clock entrained by light signals from the eyes and from the environment, e.g., food availability. Acute changes in circadian rhythms--e.g., due to nonsynchronous work schedules or a transcontinental flight--may trigger intestinal discomfort. Chronic disruptions in circadian control mechanisms may predispose the individual to irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and peptic ulcer disease. A more detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying temporal changes in intestinal activity might allow us to identify novel targets for developing therapeutic approaches to these disorders.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Cell Biology and Pediatrics, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York 11203, and Virginia New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn, New York 11209; email: Mahmood.Hussain@downstate.edu.
authors.forename: M Mahmood
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hussain
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D056926:CLOCK Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000378:metabolism*; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000294:innervation / Q000378:metabolism*; D007422:Intestines / Q000294:innervation; D008954:Models, Biological; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D004041:Dietary Fats; C106092:microsomal triglyceride transfer protein; D056926:CLOCK Proteins
keywords: MTP; circadian rhythms; clock genes; intestine; lipid absorption; triacylglycerol