Circadian Rhythms: Will It Revolutionise the Management of Diseases?

Abstract

The Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2017 was awarded to Michael Young, Michael Rosbash and Jeffrey Hall for their discoveries into the molecular mechanisms controlling circadian rhythms (CR). The aims of this paper were to present the mechanisms behind the CRs and discuss the impact this could have on human health. We argued that further research in this field has the potential to revolutionise healthcare through understanding the influence on the pathogenesis of disease, including in cardiovascular, mental and neurological health, as well as influence on cognitive function. The research has shown that intrinsic CRs have physiological and biochemical influences on the body, which may affect the efficiency of drug absorption due to the altered activity of enzymes. There is strong data to suggest CR disturbances, due to either shift work, sleep disorders or frequent travel between time zones, has negative impact on health. This article aims to summarise the extent of this impact and analyse CRs as a potential therapeutic target, as well as describing the pathophysiology and mechanisms driving the course of disease among people with CR disorders. These new discoveries may revolutionise the way in which treatment is provided in the future with more focus on lifestyle changes to provide treatment and more optimal precision medicine. Pharmaceutical companies and healthcare staff must consider the significant message provided from this data and use the information to optimise drug delivery and treatment provision. The facts of CRs role in healthcare can no longer be ignored.

Plant Defence Mechanisms Are Modulated by the Circadian System

“…Various mechanisms have been hypothesized on how the circadian system contributes to plants’ immunity and defence as both adaptive and innate immunities are modulated by the circadian system [ 58 ]. Unravelling the mechanisms underlying the relationship between the circadian system and plant immunity carries great importance for plant health and disease management [ 63 , 64 ]. The emerging field of chrono-immunotherapy (synchronizing time of medicine with the circadian clock of the body to optimize treatment) demonstrates the utility of this approach in treating disease [ 63 ].…”

“…As a consequence, efforts to improve the efficiency of plant defense responses using targeted interventions within the circadian system should be explored further. Our understanding of the circadian clock controlling the plant defense in different ways provides a foundation for future work [ 64 , 65 , 66 ]. The synchronization of disease treatment and plants’ internal clock could result in efficient disease control and decreased crop yield losses [ 64 , 67 ].…”

Shiftwork Organization

“…Period genes encode for the PER protein, whose level rises during the night and decreases during the day. Based on the light stimuli received and the genes activated as a result, the suprachiasmatic nucleus regulates the secretion of melatonin from the pineal gland: melatonin levels increase during the dark of night and decrease under the exposure to light during the day [5].…”

CosinorPy: a python package for cosinor-based rhythmometry

“…A vast amount of research has been devoted to the analysis of circadian rhythms in recent years [ 5 ]. We should as well strive towards the integration of such analyses into the clinical work for disease diagnostics, treatment, and prevention [ 6 ].…”