. Earth Science News .
OHSU Primate Center Research Suggests Multiple Body Clocks

The research provides important new information regarding the complex, rhythmic, 24-hour functions of the body. The research may also impact current therapies for a variety of diseases.
by Staff Writers
Portland OR (SPX) May 24, 2006
Research conducted at Oregon Health and Science University suggests that contrary to popular belief, the body has more than one "body clock." The previously known master body clock resides in a part of the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN).

Researchers at OHSU's Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC) have now revealed the existence of a secondary clock-like mechanism associated with the adrenal gland. The research also suggests a high likelihood that additional clocks exist in the body. The study results are printed in the current edition of the journal Molecular Endocrinology.

"We're all familiar with the idea that the body has a master clock that controls sleep-wake cycles. In fact, most of us have witnessed the impacts of this clock in the form of jet lag where it takes the body a number of days to adjust to a new time schedule following a long flight," explained Henryk Urbanski, Ph.D., senior author of the study and a senior scientist at ONPRC.

"Our latest research suggests that a separate but likely related clock resides in the adrenal gland. The adrenal gland is involved in several important body functions, such as body temperature regulation, metabolism, mood, stress response and reproduction. The research also suggests that other peripheral clocks reside throughout the body and that these clocks are perhaps interconnected."

To conduct the research, scientists studied adrenal gland function in rhesus macaque monkeys which is very similar to human adrenal gland function. Specifically, researchers measured gene expression in the adrenal gland of monkeys during a 24-hour period (six times a day, four-hour intervals).

In analyzing this information, researchers identified 322 genes in the adrenal gland with functions that varied rhythmically over a 24-hour period, meaning that each gene's function peaked and diminished at the same time each day. Interestingly, the scientists also noted that a subgroup of these 322 genes also exist in the SCN � the home of the body's master body clock. This suggests that the adrenal gland has its own timing mechanism that is related to, but separate from, the SCN body clock.

"Of course, different genes peaked in function at different times of the day," explained Dario Lemos, an OHSU graduate student in the Urbanski lab and first author of the study. "For instance, genes controlling catecholamine secretion were more active in the day with function greatly decreasing at night. Catecholamines are involved in many important body functions, such as stress and mood."

This research provides important new information regarding the complex, rhythmic, 24-hour functions of the body. The research may also impact current therapies for a variety of diseases. For instance, data gathered in this study and future studies may suggest that certain therapies be delivered at certain times to synchronize with normal body functions controlled by body clocks.

"One example is testosterone replacement, a common treatment for certain disorders in males such as sexual dysfunction and depression," explained Urbanski. "Patients receiving testosterone late in the day often complain of sleep loss.

This is likely due to the fact that in healthy people, testosterone levels are lower in the afternoon and evening. As more data is gathered about body clock functions in our lab and others, we will likely learn of a specific window of time during the day where testosterone therapy is effective, but less disruptive for patients."

Related Links
Oregon Health and Science University

Five Surprising Facts About Starvation
Boston MA (SPX) May 23, 2006
While public attention gravitates towards conflict and natural disaster, many people in countries less affected by such events struggle with some of the same nutrition problems as those in crisis.







  • CapRock Expands Disaster Satellite Services in Preparation For Hurricane Season
  • New Network Needed to Solve First Responder Communications Crisis
  • I think I'll take the stairs
  • Dutch Soldiers Move Into Afghanistan Under Apache Protection

  • Tropical Forests Leak Nitrogen Back Into Atmosphere
  • Greenhouse Gas/Temp Feedback Mechanism May Raise Warming Further
  • Canada wants Kyoto climate-change deal scrapped: report
  • Al Gore issues global warming wake-up call at Cannes

  • Akari Delivers Its First Images
  • Province Of Ontario Secures Quickbird Imagery Library
  • Allied Defense Wins New Tracking Antenna Orders
  • DLR And EADS To Collaborate On New Earthsat Mission

  • Research Highlights How Bacteria Produce Energy
  • Team Revamps Energy System For Fuel-Efficiency
  • Here Comes The Sun With New Solutions For Worlds Energy Woes
  • Undersea Channels Could Aid Oil Recovery

  • Finding Cures For The Disease Of Neglect
  • More than 210,000 South Africans on antiretrovirals: spokesman
  • Hundred cases a day of HIV infections in Russia: officials
  • Sanyo says filtering system effective against bird flu viruses

  • Satellite Tracking Reveals Migratory Mysteries Of Atlantic Loggerhead Turtles
  • How Ancient Whales Lost Their Legs, Got Sleek And Conquered The Oceans
  • Brazil Creates Buffer Zone Around Coral Reefs Off Atlantic Coast
  • New Reefs Explored For Pharmaceutical Potential, Ecological Impacts

  • Finland hopes to clean up Russian shipping in Baltic
  • Test For Dioxin Sensitivity In Wildlife Could Result From New Study
  • Exxon Valdez Oil Found In Tidal Feeding Grounds Of Ducks, Sea Otters
  • New "Toxic" Ship Bound For India

  • OHSU Primate Center Research Suggests Multiple 'Body Clocks'
  • Five Surprising Facts About Starvation
  • Hobbit Claims Shrunken
  • Europe's Migrant Crisis

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement