Nonphotic entrainment in a diurnal mammal, the European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus)

Circadian rhythms in ischaemic heart disease: key aspects for preclinical and translational research: position paper of the ESC working group on cellular biology of the heart

Circadian rhythms are internal regulatory processes controlled by molecular clocks present in essentially every mammalian organ that temporally regulate major physiological functions. In the cardiovascular system, the circadian clock governs heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac metabolism, contractility, and coagulation. Recent experimental and clinical studies highlight the possible importance of circadian rhythms in the pathophysiology, outcome, or treatment success of cardiovascular disease, including ischaemic heart disease. Disturbances in circadian rhythms are associated with increased cardiovascular risk and worsen outcome. Therefore, it is important to consider circadian rhythms as a key research parameter to better understand cardiac physiology/pathology, and to improve the chances of translation and efficacy of cardiac therapies, including those for ischaemic heart disease. The aim of this Position Paper by the European Society of Cardiology Working Group Cellular Biology of the Heart is to highlight key aspects of circadian rhythms to consider for improvement of preclinical and translational studies related to ischaemic heart disease and cardioprotection. Applying these considerations to future studies may increase the potential for better translation of new treatments into successful clinical outcomes.

Seasonal variations in locomotor activity rhythm and diurnal activity in the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) under mesic semi-natural conditions

The dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) is a large ungulate that copes well with the xeric environment of the desert. Its peculiar adaptation to heat and dehydration is well-known. However, its behavior and general activity is far from being completely understood. The present study was carried out to investigate the ecological effect of the various seasons on the locomotor activity (LA) rhythm and diurnal activity of this species. Six adult female camels were maintained under mesic semi-natural conditions of the environment during four periods of 10 days in each season: autumn, winter, spring and summer. In addition, three female camels were used to test the effect of rain on the LA rhythm during a period of 18 days during the winter. The animal's LA was recorded using the locomotion scoring method. Camels displayed a clear 24.0h LA rhythm throughout the four seasons. Activity was intense during Day-time (6-22 fold higher in comparison to night) and dropped or completely disappeared during nighttime. Mean daytime total activity was significantly higher in the summer as compared to winter. Regardless of the season, the active phase in camels coincided with the time of the photophase and thermophase. Furthermore, the daily duration of the time spent active was directly correlated to the seasonal changes of photoperiod. The diurnal activity remained unchanged over the four seasons. For each season, the start and the end of the active phase were synchronized with the onset of sunrise and sunset. At these time periods, temperature remained incredibly stable with a change ranging from 0.002 to 0.210°C; whereas, changes of light intensity were greater and faster with a change from 0.1 to 600 lux representing a variation of 3215-7192 fold in just 25-29 min. Rainfall affected the pattern of the LA rhythm with occurrence of abnormal nocturnal activity during nighttime disturbing nocturnal rest and sleep. Here we show that the dromedary camel exhibits significant seasonal changes of its activity within daylight hours. However, the diurnal pattern remains unchanged regardless of the season; whereas, abnormal nocturnal activity is observed during periods of rain. The activity onset and offset in this species seems to be primarily driven by the changes in light intensity at dusk and dawn.

Distinct feedback actions of behavioural arousal to the master circadian clock in nocturnal and diurnal mammals

The master clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus provides a temporal pattern of sleep and wake that - like many other behavioural and physiological rhythms - is oppositely phased in nocturnal and diurnal animals. The SCN primarily uses environmental light, perceived through the retina, to synchronize its endogenous circadian rhythms with the exact 24 h light/dark cycle of the outside world. The light responsiveness of the SCN is maximal during the night in both nocturnal and diurnal species. Behavioural arousal during the resting period not only perturbs sleep homeostasis, but also acts as a potent non-photic synchronizing cue. The feedback action of arousal on the SCN is mediated by processes involving several brain nuclei and neurotransmitters, which ultimately change the molecular functions of SCN pacemaker cells. Arousing stimuli during the sleeping period differentially affect the circadian system of nocturnal and diurnal species, as evidenced by the different circadian windows of sensitivity to behavioural arousal. In addition, arousing stimuli reduce and increase light resetting in nocturnal and diurnal species, respectively. It is important to address further question of circadian impairments associated with shift work and trans-meridian travel not only in the standard nocturnal laboratory animals but also in diurnal animal models.

Circadian rhythm phase shifts caused by timed exercise vary with chronotype

BACKGROUNDThe circadian system entrains behavioral and physiological rhythms to environmental cycles, and modern lifestyles disrupt this entrainment. We investigated a timed exercise intervention to phase shift the internal circadian rhythm.METHODSIn 52 young, sedentary adults, dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) was measured before and after 5 days of morning (10 hours after DLMO; n = 26) or evening (20 hours after DLMO; n = 26) exercise. Phase shifts were calculated as the difference in DLMO before and after exercise.RESULTSMorning exercise induced phase advance shifts (0.62 ± 0.18 hours) that were significantly greater than phase shifts from evening exercise (-0.02 ± 0.18 hours; P = 0.01). Chronotype also influenced the effect of timed exercise. For later chronotypes, both morning and evening exercise induced phase advances (0.54 ± 0.29 hours and 0.46 ±0.25 hours, respectively). In contrast, earlier chronotypes had phase advances from morning exercise (0.49 ± 0.25 hours) but had phase delays from evening exercise (-0.41 ± 0.29 hours).CONCLUSIONLate chronotypes - those who experience the most severe circadian misalignment - may benefit from phase advances induced by exercise in the morning or evening, but evening exercise may exacerbate circadian misalignment in early chronotypes. Thus, personalized exercise timing prescription, based on chronotype, could alleviate circadian misalignment in young adults.TRIAL REGISTRATIONTrial registration can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04097886).FUNDINGFunding was supplied by NIH grants UL1TR001998 and TL1TR001997, the Barnstable Brown Diabetes and Obesity Center, the Pediatric Exercise Physiology Laboratory Endowment, the Arvle and Ellen Turner Thacker Research Fund, and the University of Kentucky.

Validation of locomotion scoring as a new and inexpensive technique to record circadian locomotor activity in large mammals

Background

The locomotor activity (LA) rhythm, widely studied in rodents, has not been fully investigated in large mammals. This is due to the high cost and the brittleness of the required devices. Alternatively, the locomotion scoring method (SM), consisting of attribution of a score to various levels of activity would be a consistent method to assess the circadian LA rhythm in such species.

New method

To test this, a SM with a score ranging from 0 to 5 has been developed and used in two domestic large mammals, the camel and the goat. One minute interval scoring was performed using visual screening and monitoring of infra-red camera recording videos and carried out by two evaluators.

Results

The SM provides a clear daily LA rhythm that has been validated using an automate device, the Actiwatch-Mini. The obtained curves and actograms were indeed highly similar to those acquired from the Actiwatch-Mini. Moreover, there were no statistical differences in the period and acrophase. The period was exactly of 24.0h and the acrophases occurred at 12h05 ± 00h03 and 12h14 ± 00h07 for the camel and at 13h13 ± 00h09 and 12h57 ± 00h09 for the goat using SM and Actiwatch-Mini respectively.

Comparison with existing methods

Compared to the automatic system, the SM is inexpensive and has the advantage of describing all types of performed movements.

Conclusions

The new developed SM is highly reliable and sufficiently accurate to assess conveniently the LA rhythm and specific behaviors in large mammals. This opens new perspectives to study chronobiology in animal models of desert, tropical and equatorial zones.

Time-shifting effects of methylphenidate on daily rhythms in the diurnal rodent Arvicanthis ansorgei

People suffering of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and treated with the psychostimulant methylphenidate (MPH) show sleep-wake cycle and daily rhythm alterations despite the beneficial effects of MPH on behavioral symptoms (i.e., hyperactivity, attention). In nocturnal rodents (i.e., mice), chronic exposure to MPH alters the neural activity of the circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), behavioral rhythms, and the sleep-wake cycle. Here, we studied the effects of MPH on daily rhythms of behavior and body temperature of the diurnal rodent Arvicanthis ansorgei. Under a light-dark cycle, chronic exposure to MPH in drinking water delayed the onset of both activity and body temperature rhythms. Interestingly, delays were larger when MPH access was restricted to the first 6 h of the light phase (i.e., activity phase) of the 24-h cycle. Since MPH effects are dependent on animal's fluid intake, in a last experiment, we controlled the time and dose of MPH delivery in Arvicanthis using an intraperitoneal perfusion method. Similarly to the experiment with MPH in drinking water, Arvicanthis showed a delay in the onset of general activity and body temperature when MPH infusions, but not vehicle, were during the first 6 h of the light phase. This study indicates that MPH alters daily rhythms in a time-dependent manner and proposes the use of a diurnal rodent for the study of the effects of MPH on the circadian clock. Knowing the circadian modulation on the effects of MPH in behavior could give new insights in the treatment of ADHD.

Flexible clock systems: adjusting the temporal programme

Under natural conditions, many aspects of the abiotic and biotic environment vary with time of day, season or even era, while these conditions are typically kept constant in laboratory settings. The timing information contained within the environment serves as critical timing cues for the internal biological timing system, but how this system drives daily rhythms in behaviour and physiology may also depend on the internal state of the animal. The disparity between timing of these cues in natural and laboratory conditions can result in substantial differences in the scheduling of behaviour and physiology under these conditions. In nature, temporal coordination of biological processes is critical to maximize fitness because they optimize the balance between reproduction, foraging and predation risk. Here we focus on the role of peripheral circadian clocks, and the rhythms that they drive, in enabling adaptive phenotypes. We discuss how reproduction, endocrine activity and metabolism interact with peripheral clocks, and outline the complex phenotypes arising from changes in this system. We conclude that peripheral timing is critical to adaptive plasticity of circadian organization in the field, and that we must abandon standard laboratory conditions to understand the mechanisms that underlie this plasticity which maximizes fitness under natural conditions.This article is part of the themed issue 'Wild clocks: integrating chronobiology and ecology to understand timekeeping in free-living animals'.

The flexible clock: predictive and reactive homeostasis, energy balance and the circadian regulation of sleep–wake timing

The Darwinian fitness of mammals living in a rhythmic environment depends on endogenous daily (circadian) rhythms in behavior and physiology. Here, we discuss the mechanisms underlying the circadian regulation of physiology and behavior in mammals. We also review recent efforts to understand circadian flexibility, such as how the phase of activity and rest is altered depending on the encountered environment. We explain why shifting activity to the day is an adaptive strategy to cope with energetic challenges and show how this can reduce thermoregulatory costs. A framework is provided to make predictions about the optimal timing of activity and rest of non-model species for a wide range of habitats. This Review illustrates how the timing of daily rhythms is reciprocally linked to energy homeostasis, and it highlights the importance of this link in understanding daily rhythms in physiology and behavior.

The dynamics of GABA signaling: Revelations from the circadian pacemaker in the suprachiasmatic nucleus

Virtually every neuron within the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) communicates via GABAergic signaling. The extracellular levels of GABA within the SCN are determined by a complex interaction of synthesis and transport, as well as synaptic and non-synaptic release. The response to GABA is mediated by GABA_A receptors that respond to both phasic and tonic GABA release and that can produce excitatory as well as inhibitory cellular responses. GABA also influences circadian control through the exclusively inhibitory effects of GABA_B receptors. Both GABA and neuropeptide signaling occur within the SCN, although the functional consequences of the interactions of these signals are not well understood. This review considers the role of GABA in the circadian pacemaker, in the mechanisms responsible for the generation of circadian rhythms, in the ability of non-photic stimuli to reset the phase of the pacemaker, and in the ability of the day-night cycle to entrain the pacemaker.

Food reward without a timing component does not alter the timing of activity under positive energy balance

Circadian clocks drive daily rhythms in physiology and behavior which allow organisms to anticipate predictable daily changes in the environment. In most mammals, circadian rhythms result in nocturnal activity patterns although plasticity of the circadian system allows activity patterns to shift to different times of day. Such plasticity is seen when food access is restricted to a few hours during the resting (light) phase resulting in food anticipatory activity (FAA) in the hours preceding food availability. The mechanisms underlying FAA are unknown but data suggest the involvement of the reward system and homeostatic regulation of metabolism. We previously demonstrated the isolated effect of metabolism by inducing diurnality in response to energetic challenges. Here the importance of reward timing in inducing daytime activity is assessed. The daily activity distribution of mice earning palatable chocolate at their preferred time by working in a running wheel was compared with that of mice receiving a timed palatable meal at noon. Mice working for chocolate (WFC) without being energetically challenged increased their total daily activity but this did not result in a shift to diurnality. Providing a chocolate meal at noon each day increased daytime activity, identifying food timing as a factor capable of altering the daily distribution of activity and rest. These results show that timing of food reward and energetic challenges are both independently sufficient to induce diurnality in nocturnal mammals. FAA observed following timed food restriction is likely the result of an additive effect of distinct regulatory pathways activated by energetic challenges and food reward.

Locomotor activity in the Namaqua rock mouse (Micaelamys namaquensis): entrainment by light manipulations

The locomotor activity rhythms of wild-caught Namaqua rock mice (Micaelamys namaquensis (A. Smith, 1834)) were examined under four light-cycle regimes to quantitatively describe the daily expression of locomotor activity and to study the innate relationship between activity and the light–dark cycle. Activity was always significantly higher at night than during the day; we note four trends. (1) The LD1 light cycle (12 h light : 12 h dark) established a distinct light-entrained and strongly nocturnal activity rhythm (99.11% nocturnal activity). The activity onset was prompt (zeitgeber time (ZT) 12.2 ± 0.04) and activity continued without any prominent peaks or extended times of rest until the offset of activity at ZT 23.73 ± 0.08. (2) Evidence for the internal maintenance of locomotor activity was obtained from the constant dark cycle (DD) in which locomotor activity free ran (mean τ = 23.89 h) and 77.58% of the activity was expressed during the subjective night. (3) During re-entrainment (LD2; 12 h light : 12 h dark), a nocturnal activity rhythm was re-established (98.65% nocturnal activity). (4) The inversion of the light cycle (DL; 12 h dark : 12 h light) evoked a shift in activity that again revealed dark-induced locomotor activity (95.69% nocturnal activity). Females were consistently more active than males in all of the light cycles, but only under the DD and LD2 cycles were females significantly more active than males. Although this species is considered nocturnal from field observations, information regarding its daily expression of activity and the role of light in its entrainment is lacking. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report quantitatively on the species’ daily rhythm of activity and to investigate its relationship to the light–dark cycle.

Moonlight Detection by Drosophila’s Endogenous Clock Depends on Multiple Photopigments in the Compound Eyes

Many organisms change their activity on moonlit nights. Even the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster responds to moonlight with a shift of activity into the night, at least under laboratory conditions. The compound eyes have been shown to be essential for the perception of moonlight, but it is unknown which of the 5 rhodopsins in the eyes are responsible for the observed moonlight effects. Here, we show that the outer (R1-R6) and inner (R7 and R8) photoreceptor cells in a fly’s ommatidium interact in a complex manner to provoke the moonlight effects on locomotor activity. The shift of the evening activity peak into the night depends on several rhodopsins in the inner and outer photoreceptor cells. The increase in relative nocturnal activity in response to moonlight is mainly mediated by the rhodopsin 6–expressing inner photoreceptor cell R8 together with the rhodopsin 1–expressing outer receptor cells (R1-R6), whereas just rhodopsin 1 of R1 to R6 seems necessary for increasing nocturnal activity in response to increasing daylight intensity.

Circadian entrainment by light and host in the Chagas disease vector, Triatoma infestans

Triatoma infestans (Reduviidae: Triatominae, "kissing bug") is the main insect vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, a chronic trypanosomiasis infecting 10 million people world-wide. This hematophagous bug feeds on diurnal and nocturnal species during each host's quiescent time. As the hosts are also its major predators, kissing bugs are subjected to dual selective pressures from a single source. Therefore, synchronization of feeding with the host's behavior is critical to the insects' survival. We show that nonphotic signals linked to the host eclipse the role of light and dark as the primary circadian zeitgeber for these bugs, although light still strongly inhibits locomotor behavior directly. In nature, this combination provides the insect with great flexibility in organizing physiology and behavior: anticipating a quiescent host or avoiding its potential predation while remaining directly responsive to immediate environmental conditions. Manipulation of nonphotic entrainment could be a useful chronobiotic tool in the control of Chagas disease.

Setting the main circadian clock of a diurnal mammal by hypocaloric feeding

Caloric restriction attenuates the onset of a number of pathologies related to ageing. In mammals, circadian rhythms, controlled by the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic (SCN) clock, are altered with ageing. Although light is the main synchronizer for the clock, a daily hypocaloric feeding (HF) may also modulate the SCN activity in nocturnal rodents. Here we report that a HF also affects behavioural, physiological and molecular circadian rhythms of the diurnal rodent Arvicanthis ansorgei. Under constant darkness HF, but not normocaloric feeding (NF), entrains circadian behaviour. Under a light–dark cycle, HF at midnight led to phase delays of the rhythms of locomotor activity and plasma corticosterone. Furthermore, Per2 and vasopressin gene oscillations in the SCN were phase delayed in HF Arvicanthis compared with animals fed ad libitum. Moreover, light-induced expression of Per genes in the SCN was modified in HF Arvicanthis, despite a non-significant effect on light-induced behavioural phase delays. Together, our data show that HF affects the circadian system of the diurnal rodent Arvicanthis ansorgei differentially from nocturnal rodents. The Arvicanthis model has relevance for the potential use of HF to manipulate circadian rhythms in diurnal species including humans.

Feedback actions of locomotor activity to the circadian clock

The phase of the mammalian circadian system can be entrained to a range of environmental stimuli, or zeitgebers, including food availability and light. Further, locomotor activity can act as an entraining signal and represents a mechanism for an endogenous behavior to feedback and influence subsequent circadian function. This process involves a number of nuclei distributed across the brain stem, thalamus, and hypothalamus and ultimately alters SCN electrical and molecular function to induce phase shifts in the master circadian pacemaker. Locomotor activity feedback to the circadian system is effective across both nocturnal and diurnal species, including humans, and has recently been shown to improve circadian function in a mouse model with a weakened circadian system. This raises the possibility that exercise may be useful as a noninvasive treatment in cases of human circadian dysfunction including aging, shift work, transmeridian travel, and the blind.

Immunocytochemical evidence for different patterns in daily rhythms of VIP and AVP peptides in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of diurnal Funambulus palmarum

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the principal pacemaker that coordinates circadian rhythmicity in mammals. The studies on understanding the circadian system in diurnal rodents are limited. In this study, we have used the 3 striped South Indian Palm Squirrel (Funambulus palmarum). The locomotor activity showed a diurnal pattern of activity in LD 12:12, constant darkness (DD) and light (LL) conditions with circadian periods (τ) of 24.19 ± 0.1, 24.11 ± 0.03 and 24.92 ± 0.35 h respectively. Anatomical study of the brain revealed that this animal had short, thick and stout optic nerves with SCN elliptical in shape with a higher neuronal population as distinct from nocturnal rodents. Since the neuropeptides, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) play important roles in photic entrainment and relay of information respectively in nocturnal rodents, we studied the distribution and daily rhythms of VIP-ir and AVP-ir in squirrel SCN. The VIP-ir and AVP-ir cells in the SCN showed a ventrolateral and dorsomedial distribution with daily rhythmicity in their levels. The peak time of VIP-ir rhythm was found ahead of AVP-ir. The VIP-ir levels were higher for longer duration than AVP-ir levels. The maximum and minimum VIP-ir levels were at ZT-6 and ZT-0 respectively and AVP-ir levels at ZT-12 and ZT-0 respectively. Thus, VIP and AVP maximum and minimum levels appeared 6 and 12h apart respectively in squirrel, though 12 and 8h apart in rat. These findings in the present report could be a step towards underpinning the mechanisms regulating diurnality.

The response of Per1 to light in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the diurnal degu (Octodon degus)

Several studies suggest that the circadian systems of diurnal mammals respond differently to daytime light than those of nocturnal mammals. We hypothesized that the photosensitive "clock" gene Per1 would respond to light exposure during subjective day in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the diurnal rodent, Octodon degus. Tissue was collected 1.5-2 h after a 30 min light pulse presented at five timepoints across the 24 h day and compared to controls maintained under conditions of constant darkness. Per1 mRNA was quantified using in situ hybridization. Results showed that the rhythmicity and photic responsiveness of Per1 in the degu resembles that of nocturnal animals.

From daily behavior to hormonal and neurotransmitters rhythms: comparison between diurnal and nocturnal rat species

Mammalian species can be defined as diurnal or nocturnal, depending on the temporal niche during which they are active. Even if general activity occurs during nighttime in nocturnal rodents, there is a patchwork of general activity patterns in diurnal rodents, including frequent bimodality (so-called crepuscular pattern, i.e., dawn and dusk peaks of activity) and a switch to a nocturnal pattern under certain circumstances. This raises the question of whether crepuscular species have a bimodal or diurnal - as opposed to nocturnal - physiology. To this end, we investigated several daily behavioral, hormonal and neurochemical rhythms in the diurnal Sudanian grass rat (Arvicanthis ansorgei) and the nocturnal Long-Evans rat (Rattus norvegicus). Daily rhythms of general activity, wheel-running activity and body temperature, with or without blocked wheel, were diurnal and bimodal for A. ansorgei, and nocturnal and unimodal for Long-Evans rats. Moreover, A. ansorgei and Long-Evans rats exposed to light-dark cycles were respectively more and less active, compared to conditions of constant darkness. In contrast to other diurnal rodents, wheel availability in A. ansorgei did not switch their general activity pattern. Daily, unimodal rhythm of plasma leptin was in phase-opposition between the two rodent species. In the hippocampus, a daily, unimodal rhythm of serotonin in A. ansorgei occurred 7 h earlier than that in Long-Evans rats, whereas a daily, unimodal rhythm of dopamine was unexpectedly concomitant in both species. Multiparameter analysis demonstrates that in spite of bimodal rhythms linked with locomotor activity, A. ansorgei have a diurnally oriented physiology.

Period gene expression in the diurnal degu (Octodon degus) differs from the nocturnal laboratory rat (Rattus norvegicus)

Recent data suggest that both nocturnal and diurnal mammals generate circadian rhythms using similarly phased feedback loops involving Period genes in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus. These molecular oscillations also exist in the brain outside of the SCN, but the relationship between SCN and extra-SCN oscillations is unclear. We hypothesized that a comparison of "diurnal" and "nocturnal" central nervous system Per rhythms would uncover differences in the underlying circadian mechanisms between these two chronotypes. Therefore, this study compared the 24-h oscillatory patterns of Per1 and Per2 mRNA in the SCN and putative striatum and cortex of Octodon degus (degu), a diurnal hystricognath rodent, with those of the nocturnal laboratory rat, Rattus norvegicus. The brains of adult male degus and rats were collected at 2-h intervals across 24 h in entrained light-dark and constant darkness conditions, and sections were analyzed via in situ hybridization. In the SCN, degu Per1 and Per2 hybridization signal exhibited 24-h oscillatory patterns similar in phasing to those seen in other rodents, with peaks occurring during the light period and troughs during the dark period. However, Per1 remained elevated for five fewer hours in the degu than in the rat, and Per2 remained elevated for two fewer hours in the degu. In brain areas outside of the SCN, the phase of Per2 hybridization signal rhythms in the degu were 180 degrees out of phase with those found in the rat, and Per1 hybridization signal lacked significant rhythmicity. These results suggest that, while certain basic components of the transcriptional-translational feedback loop generating circadian rhythms are similar in diurnal and nocturnal mammals, there are variations that may reflect adaptations to circadian niche.

Internal desynchronization in a model of night-work by forced activity in rats

Individuals engaged in shift- or night-work show disturbed diurnal rhythms, out of phase with temporal signals associated to the light/dark (LD) cycle, resulting in internal desynchronization. The mechanisms underlying internal desynchrony have been mainly investigated in experimental animals with protocols that induce phase shifts of the LD cycle and thus modify the activity of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). In this study we developed an animal model of night-work in which the light-day cycle remained stable and rats were required to be active in a rotating wheel for 8 h daily during their sleeping phase (W-SP). This group was compared with rats that were working in the wheel during their activity phase (W-AP) and with undisturbed rats (C). We provide evidence that forced activity during the sleeping phase (W-SP group) alters not only activity, but also the temporal pattern of food intake. In consequence W-SP rats showed a loss of glucose rhythmicity and a reversed rhythm of triacylglycerols. In contrast W-AP rats did not show such changes and exhibited metabolic rhythms similar to those of the controls. The three groups exhibited the nocturnal corticosterone increase, in addition the W-SP and W-AP groups showed increase of plasma corticosterone associated with the start of the working session. Forced activity during the sleep phase did not modify SCN activity characterized by the temporal patterns of PER1 and PER2 proteins, which remained in phase with the LD cycle. These observations indicate that a working regimen during the sleeping period elicits internal desynchronization in which activity combined with feeding uncouples metabolic functions from the biological clock which remains fixed to the LD cycle. The present data suggest that in the night worker the combination of work and eating during working hours may be the cause of internal desynchronization.

Minireview: Entrainment of the suprachiasmatic clockwork in diurnal and nocturnal mammals

Daily rhythmicity, including timing of wakefulness and hormone secretion, is mainly controlled by a master clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus. The SCN clockwork involves various clock genes, with specific temporal patterns of expression that are similar in nocturnal and diurnal species (e.g. the clock gene Per1 in the SCN peaks at midday in both categories). Timing of sensitivity to light is roughly similar, during nighttime, in diurnal and nocturnal species. Molecular mechanisms of photic resetting are also comparable in both species categories. By contrast, in animals housed in constant light, exposure to darkness can reset the SCN clock, mostly during the resting period, i.e. at opposite circadian times between diurnal and nocturnal species. Nonphotic stimuli, such as scheduled voluntary exercise, food shortage, exogenous melatonin, or serotonergic receptor activation, are also capable of shifting the master clock and/or modulating photic synchronization. Comparison between day- and night-active species allows classifications of nonphotic cues in two, arousal-independent and arousal-dependent, families of factors. Arousal-independent factors, such as melatonin (always secreted during nighttime, independently of daily activity pattern) or gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), have shifting effects at the same circadian times in both nocturnal and diurnal rodents. By contrast, arousal-dependent factors, such as serotonin (its cerebral levels follow activity pattern), induce phase shifts only during resting and have opposite modulating effects on photic resetting between diurnal and nocturnal species. Contrary to light and arousal-independent nonphotic cues, arousal-dependent nonphotic stimuli provide synchronizing feedback signals to the SCN clock in circadian antiphase between nocturnal and diurnal animals.

Shedding light on circadian clock resetting by dark exposure: differential effects between diurnal and nocturnal rodents

The master circadian clock in mammals, located in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus, is entrained by light and behavioural stimulation. In addition, the SCN can be reset by dark pulses in nocturnal rodents under constant light conditions. Here, the shifting effects of a dark pulse on the SCN clock were detailed at both a behavioural and molecular level in a nocturnal rodent (Syrian hamster), and were compared to those of a diurnal rodent (Arvicanthis ansorgei). Four-hour dark pulses led to phase advances in the circadian rhythm of locomotor activity from subjective midday to dusk in hamsters, but from subjective dusk to midnight in Arvicanthis. Moreover, dark pulses had no resetting effect during the middle of the subjective night in hamsters, while such a dead shifting zone occurred during most of the subjective day in Arvicanthis. The behavioural phase advances in both hamsters and Arvicanthis were most often accompanied by marked downregulation of the clock genes Per1 and/or Per2 in the SCN, and also by changes in the transforming growth factor-alpha expression, a neuropeptide that suppresses daytime activity in nocturnal mammals. Despite that both hamsters and Arvicanthis showed dark-induced phase advances at circadian time-12, Per1 gene and its protein PER1 were downregulated in Arvicanthis but not in hamsters. Altogether these results show that dark resetting of the SCN is always associated with downregulation of Per1 and/or Per2 expression, and mostly occurs during resting. Thus, the circadian window of sensitivity to dark differs between nocturnal and diurnal rodents.

Circadian rhythm of locomotor activity in the four-striped field mouse, Rhabdomys pumilio: a diurnal African rodent

Although humans are diurnal in behaviour, animal models used for the study of circadian rhythms are mainly restricted to nocturnal rodents. This study focussed on the circadian behaviour of a rodent from South Africa that has a preference for daylight, the four-striped field mouse, Rhabdomys pumilio. In order to characterise the behavioural pattern of daily activity, locomotor rhythms were studied under different light regimes using an automated data recording system. Under conditions of natural daylight, which include dawn and dusk transitions, R. pumilio exhibited activity restricted to the daytime period. Activity was concentrated around morning and evening with a decrease during mid-day. A similar diurnal preference pattern of behaviour was recorded under a light-dark cycle of artificial illumination. Under conditions of constant darkness, the four-striped field mouse exhibited a free-running circadian rhythm of locomotor activity with activity concentrated during the subjective day. Free-running rhythms varied greatly between individuals, from slightly less to slightly more than 24 h (range = 23.10 to 24.80 h). Under conditions of constant light, the mice were more active during subjective day, but the free-running rhythm in all individuals was consistently longer than 24 h (range = 24.30 to 24.79 h).

Orexin fibers form appositions with Fos expressing neuropeptide-Y cells in the grass rat intergeniculate leaflet

Neuropeptide-Y (NPY) cells in the intergeniculate leaflet (IGL) are known to modulate effects of arousal on the mammalian circadian system. However, the route through which this information reaches the IGL has not been established. Here, we provide evidence that the orexins (hypocretins) are uniquely positioned as a potential source of activity state feedback to the IGL in the grass rat, Arvicanthis niloticus. Specifically, many NPY cells in the grass rat IGL exhibit orexin-A (OXA) fiber appositions. Furthermore, NPY cells contacted by OXA fibers are significantly more likely to express Fos during nocturnal wheel running than are NPY cells without such contacts (P < 0.001).

Demasking biological oscillators: properties and principles of entrainment exemplified by the Neurospora circadian clock

Oscillations are found throughout the physical and biological worlds. Their interactions can result in a systematic process of synchronization called entrainment, which is distinct from a simple stimulus-response pattern. Oscillators respond to stimuli at some times in their cycle and may not respond at others. Oscillators can also be driven if the stimulus is strong (or if the oscillator is weak); i.e., they restart their cycle every time they receive a stimulus. Stimuli can also directly affect rhythms without entraining the underlying oscillator (masking): Drivenness and masking are often difficult to distinguish. Here we use the circadian biological clock to explore properties of entrainment. We confirm previous results showing that the residual circadian system in Neurospora can be entrained in a mutant of the clock gene frequency (frq(9), a strain deficient in producing a functional FRQ protein). This finding has implications for understanding the evolution of circadian programs. By comparing data sets from independent studies, we develop a template for analyzing, modeling, and dissecting the interactions of entrained and masked components. These insights can be applied to oscillators of all periodicities.

Social influences on mammalian circadian rhythms: animal and human studies

While light is considered the dominant stimulus for entraining (synchronizing) mammalian circadian rhythms to local environmental time, social stimuli are also widely cited as 'zeitgebers' (time-cues). This review critically assesses the evidence for social influences on mammalian circadian rhythms, and possible mechanisms of action. Social stimuli may affect circadian behavioural programmes by regulating the phase and period of circadian clocks (i.e. a zeitgeber action, either direct or by conditioning to photic zeitgebers), by influencing daily patterns of light exposure or modulating light input to the clock, or by associative learning processes that utilize circadian time as a discriminative or conditioned stimulus. There is good evidence that social stimuli can act as zeitgebers. In several species maternal signals are the primary zeitgeber in utero and prior to weaning. Adults of some species can also be phase shifted or entrained by single or periodic social interactions, but these effects are often weak, and appear to be mediated by social stimulation of arousal. There is no strong evidence yet for sensory-specific nonphotic inputs to the clock. The circadian phase-dependence of clock resetting to social stimuli or arousal (the 'nonphotic' phase response curve, PRC), where known, is distinct from that to light and similar in diurnal and nocturnal animals. There is some evidence that induction of arousal can modulate light input to the clock, but no studies yet of whether social stimuli can shift the clock by conditioning to photic cues, or be incorporated into the circadian programme by associative learning. In humans, social zeitgebers appear weak by comparison with light. In temporal isolation or under weak light-dark cycles, humans may ignore social cues and free-run independently, although cases of mutual synchrony among two or more group-housed individuals have been reported. Social cues may affect circadian timing by controlling sleep-wake states, but the phase of entrainment observed to fixed sleep-wake schedules in dim light is consistent with photic mediation (scheduled variations in behavioural state necessarily create daily light-dark cycles unless subjects are housed in constant dark or have no eyes). By contrast, discrete exercise sessions can induce phase shifts consistent with the nonphotic PRC observed in animal studies. The best evidence for social entrainment in humans is from a few totally blind subjects who synchronize to the 24 h day, or to near-24 h sleep-wake schedules under laboratory conditions. However, the critical entraining stimuli have not yet been identified, and there are no reported cases yet of social entrainment in bilaterally enucleated blind subjects. The role of social zeitgebers in mammalian behavioural ecology, their mechanisms of action, and their utility for manipulating circadian rhythms in humans, remains to be more fully elaborated.

Individual differences in wheel-running rhythms are related to temporal and spatial patterns of activation of orexin A and B cells in a diurnal rodent (arvicanthis niloticus)

This study investigated the relationship between the orexins and patterns of activity in the diurnal Nile grass rat, Arvicanthis niloticus. Some individuals of this species switch to a more nocturnal pattern when given access to a running wheel, while others continue to be most active during the day. In both day- and night-active grass rats, the percentages of orexin A (OXA) and orexin B (OXB) cells expressing Fos were highest when animals were actively running in wheels. In night-active animals, removal of the running wheel significantly decreased OXA and OXB cell Fos expression. Additionally, in night-active animals, clear regional differences were apparent. In these animals the presence of a wheel induced higher percentages of Fos in both OXA and OXB cells in medial regions of the lateral hypothalamus than in lateral regions. In night-active animals without access to wheels, this medial-lateral gradient was present only in OXA cells. No regional differences were observed in day-active animals. This study demonstrates that individual differences in the patterns of activation of OXA and OXB cell populations are related to differences in the temporal pattern of wheel running. We also present evidence that orexin cells have projections to the intergeniculate leaflet that appear to make contact with neuropeptide-Y cells. We discuss the possibility that these fibers may be involved in relaying feedback regarding the activity state of the animal to the circadian system through these projections.

Novel phase-shifting effects of GABAA receptor activation in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of a diurnal rodent

The vast majority of neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the primary circadian pacemaker in mammals, contain the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. Most studies investigating the role of GABA in the SCN have been performed using nocturnal rodents. Activation of GABA(A) receptors by microinjection of muscimol into the SCN phase advances the circadian activity rhythm of nocturnal rodents, but only during the subjective day. Nonphotic stimuli that reset the circadian pacemaker of nocturnal rodents also produce phase advances during the subjective day. The role of GABA in the SCN of diurnal animals and how it may differ from nocturnal animals is not known. In the studies described here, the GABA(A) agonist muscimol was microinjected directly into the SCN region of diurnal unstriped Nile grass rats (Arvicanthis niloticus) at various times in their circadian cycle. The results demonstrate that GABA(A) receptor activation produces large phase delays during the subjective day in grass rats. Treatment with TTX did not affect the ability of muscimol to induce phase delays, suggesting that muscimol acts directly on pacemaker cells within the SCN. These data suggest that the circadian pacemakers of nocturnal and diurnal animals respond to the most abundant neurochemical signal found in SCN neurons in opposite ways. These findings are the first to demonstrate a fundamental difference in the functioning of circadian pacemaker cells in diurnal and nocturnal animals.

Circadian clock resetting by arousal in Syrian hamsters: the role of stress and activity

Circadian rhythms in the Syrian hamster can be markedly phase shifted by 3 h of wheel running or arousal stimulation during their usual daily rest period ("subjective day"). Continuous wheel running is predictive but not necessary for phase shifts of this "nonphotic" type; hamsters aroused by gentle handling without running can also show maximal shifts. By contrast, physical restraint, a standard stress procedure and thus presumably arousing, is ineffective. To resolve this apparent paradox, phase-shifting effects of 3-h sessions of restraint or other stress procedures were assessed. In a preliminary study, phase shifts to arousal by gentle handling were significantly potentiated by the cortisol synthesis inhibitor metyrapone, suggesting that stress-related cortisol release may inhibit phase shifts to arousal. Next, it was confirmed that restraint in the subjective day does not induce phase shifts, but behavioral observations revealed that it also does not sustain arousal. Restraint combined with noxious compressed air blasts did sustain arousal and induced a significant cortisol response compared with arousal by gentle handling but did not induce shifts. Restraint combined with continuous horizontal rotation was also ineffective, as was EEG-validated arousal via confinement to a pedestal over water. However, 3 h of resident-intruder interactions (an intense psychosocial stress) or exposure to an open field (a mild stress) did induce large shifts that were positively correlated with indexes of forward locomotion. The results indicate that large phase shifts associated with arousal in the usual sleep period are neither induced nor prevented by stress per se, but are dependent on the expression of at least low levels of locomotor activity. Sustained arousal alone is not sufficient.

Nonphotic phase shifting in female Syrian hamsters: interactions with the estrous cycle

Nonphotic phase shifting of circadian rhythms was examined in female Syrian hamsters. Animals were stimulated at zeitgeber time 4.5 by either placing them in a novel running wheel or by transferring them to a clean home cage. Placement in a clean home cage was more effective than novel wheel treatment in stimulating large (> 1.5 h) phase shifts. Peak phase shifts (ca. 3.5 h) and the percentage of females showing large phase shifts were comparable to those found in male hamsters stimulated with novel wheels. The amount of activity induced by nonphotic stimulation and the amount of phase shifting varied slightly with respect to the 4-day estrous cycle. Animals tended to run less and shift less on the day of estrus. Nonphotic stimulation on proestrus often resulted in a 1-day delay of the estrous cycle reflected in animals' postovulatory vaginal discharge and the expression of sexual receptivity (lordosis). This delay of the estrous cycle was associated with large phase advances and high activity. These results extend the generality of nonphotic phase shifting to females for the first time and raise the possibility that resetting of circadian rhythms can induce changes in the estrous cycle.

Exercise elicits phase shifts and acute alterations of melatonin that vary with circadian phase

To examine the immediate phase-shifting effects of high-intensity exercise of a practical duration (1 h) on human circadian phase, five groups of healthy men 20-30 yr of age participated in studies involving no exercise or exposure to morning, afternoon, evening, or nocturnal exercise. Except during scheduled sleep/dark and exercise periods, subjects remained under modified constant routine conditions allowing a sleep period and including constant posture, knowledge of clock time, and exposure to dim light intensities averaging (+/-SD) 42 +/- 19 lx. The nocturnal onset of plasma melatonin secretion was used as a marker of circadian phase. A phase response curve was used to summarize the phase-shifting effects of exercise as a function of the timing of exercise. A significant effect of time of day on circadian phase shifts was observed (P < 0.004). Over the interval from the melatonin onset before exercise to the first onset after exercise, circadian phase was significantly advanced in the evening exercise group by 30 +/- 15 min (SE) compared with the phase delays observed in the no-exercise group (-25 +/- 14 min, P < 0.05). Phase shifts in response to evening exercise exposure were attenuated on the second day after exercise exposure and no longer significantly different from phase shifts observed in the absence of exercise. Unanticipated transient elevations of melatonin levels were observed in response to nocturnal exercise and in some evening exercise subjects. Taken together with the results from previous studies in humans and diurnal rodents, the current results suggest that 1) a longer duration of exercise exposure and/or repeated daily exposure to exercise may be necessary for reliable phase-shifting of the human circadian system and that 2) early evening exercise of high intensity may induce phase advances relevant for nonphotic entrainment of the human circadian system.

Afferent projections to the hamster intergeniculate leaflet demonstrated by retrograde and anterograde tracing

The intergeniculate leaflet (IGL) is considered involved in nonphotic shifting of the circadian clock through a direct connection, the geniculo-hypothalamic tract. The brain areas mediating nonphotic arousal to the hamster IGL have not been thoroughly investigated by both retrograde and anterograde tracing. We, therefore, reinvestigated the IGL afferent connections with the retrograde tracer Cholera toxin B and subsequently verified the results with the anterograde tracer Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin. We also defined a subset of neurons projecting to the IGL that were activated by arousal using c-Fos immunocytochemistry. Apart from a dense afferent projection from the retina- and the contralateral leaflet, there were ipsilateral projections from other structures: layer V and VI of the prefrontal cortex, the zona incerta, the magnocellular part of the subparafascicular nucleus, the dorsal raphe nucleus, the locus coeruleus, and the cuneiform nucleus. Dense bilateral projections to the leaflet from the pretectal nuclei were found. Hypothalamic afferents were observed dorsal to the suprachiasmatic nuclei, in the retrochiasmatic area (RCh) and in the ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei. All of these projections were confirmed by anterograde tracing. Furthermore, arousal (wheel-running) induced c-Fos in neurons projecting to the IGL (prefrontal cortex, RCh, pretectum). Taken together, the data strengthen the view that the IGL integrates photic and nonphotic information.

Daily infusion of melatonin entrains circadian activity rhythms in the diurnal rodent Arvicanthis ansorgei

The effect of exogenous melatonin (MEL) on the circadian system in nocturnal species has been extensively studied, but little is known about its chronobiotic effect in diurnal mammals. The present study investigated the effect of exogenous MEL on the circadian locomotor activity rhythm in the diurnal rodent Arvicanthis ansorgei. Male animals (n=34) were fitted with a subcutaneous catheter for daily infusion of MEL (1 h; 100 microg) and their running wheel activity was recorded. The results showed that administration of MEL to animals free-running in DD entrained their activity rhythm by phase advances at circadian time (CT) 10.62, and by phase delays at CT -0.40 (CT 0, activity onset). The range of entrainment was 17 and 11.5 min for advance and delay stimuli, respectively. Interestingly, in the nocturnal rat and the A. ansorgei, entrainment of the activity rhythm to exogenous MEL by phase advances occurs at exactly the same phase of the circadian cycle. In both nocturnal and diurnal species, the sensitivity window for exogenous MEL is located near the activity/rest transition points. It is concluded that the functional properties of entrainment to exogenous MEL are similar to those of other nonphotic stimuli. Furthermore, A. ansorgei might be an interesting animal model for studies on the chronobiotic effects of exogenous MEL in diurnal mammals including humans.

Cycle of period gene expression in a diurnal mammal (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus): implications for nonphotic phase shifting

Ground squirrels, Spermophilus tridecemlineatus, were kept in a 12:12 h light-dark cycle. As expected for a diurnal species, their locomotor activity occurred almost entirely in the daytime. Expression of mPer1 and mPer2 in the suprachiasmatic nucleus was studied at six time points by in situ hybridization. For both these genes, mRNA was highest in the first part of the subjective day (about zeitgeber time 5). This is close to the time when mPer1 and mPer2 expression is maximal in nocturnal rodents. These results have implications for understanding nonphotic phase response curves in diurnal species and thereby for guiding research on nonphotic phase shifting in people.