How the Body's Clock Affects Stress Hormones
Author Information
Author(s): Charmandari Evangelia, Chrousos George P., Lambrou George I., Pavlaki Aikaterini, Koide Hisashi, Ng Sinnie Sin Man, Kino Tomoshige
Primary Institution: First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, “Aghia Sophia” Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
Hypothesis
The study investigates how the peripheral CLOCK system regulates glucocorticoid receptor activity in a circadian manner in humans.
Conclusion
The peripheral CLOCK system may decrease tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids in the morning and increase it at night.
Supporting Evidence
- GR acetylation was higher in the morning than in the evening.
- Some glucocorticoid-responsive genes did not show expected diurnal fluctuations in vivo.
- Hydrocortisone treatment affected mRNA expression of CLOCK-related genes in non-synchronized cells.
Takeaway
Our body's internal clock helps control how sensitive we are to stress hormones like cortisol, making us less sensitive in the morning and more sensitive at night.
Methodology
The study examined GR acetylation and mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy subjects at different times of the day.
Limitations
The study only included healthy subjects, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other populations.
Participant Demographics
10 healthy subjects (3 males, 7 females, mean age 33.3 years)
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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