The
findings of the study offer clues to accelerated aging that occur when the
biological clock is affected. These genes can also be used to identify stress
associated with environment, age or disease.
‘Following the bodys natural circadian rhythm will prevent the activation of certain genes that accelerate aging’
Late-life Cyclers
Dr.
Rachael Kuintzle, who is the lead author of the study named the group of genes
that showed a rhythmic activity at a later stage in life as 'late-life
cyclers'. There are 25 such genes which were found to rhythm late in life, but
whose functions were not understood earlier.
"These
genes become active and are found to respond to stresses associated with
stresses like molecular aging, oxidative stress,
aging and
during certain diseases," according to Dr. Jadwiga Giebultowicz, who is a co-author
of the study and a well-known expert on the functions of the biological clock.
Late Life Cycler Genes
and Aging
The
process of aging results in memory loss, neural degeneration and other
functional disabilities that are accentuated when the biological clock is
disrupted. These genes play a natural response to aging and aid in supporting
the nervous system.
The
late life cycler genes increase their rhythmic expression in times of stress,
which is indicative of the significance of circadian rhythms. The advancement
in age increases stress associated with the body and this is the time when the
late life cycler genes become increasingly active. These genes are found to
prevent the improper folding of proteins or could help proteins refold, which
prevents the aggregation of proteins linked with age associated neuro-degeneration.
Missing Link
Identification
of these genes provides the missing link to the most commonly asked question as
to how changes in the circadian rhythm increases the symptoms of aging. Apart
from aging, a large amount of stress can also activate these genes into action.
This was highlighted when oxidative stress in fruit flies were artificially
created by the research team, as the late life cycle genes were activated
rhythmically. Some of the genes under study were also found to be activated in
cancer, indicating that they were important for lowering stress levels but
could be potentially harmful if they remained active for a very long time.
The
circadian rhythm that allows synchronization based on light or dark cycle in
24-hours is very important and the genes involved in controlling that have been
conserved over so many years of evolution from fruit flies to humans. These
genes are found in peripheral organs as well as in the nervous system. These
genes influence
- Feeding pattern
- Sleeping behavior
- DNA repair
- Effectiveness to
medication
- Reaction to
stress
When
the circadian rhythms are affected routinely with changes in the sleep pattern,
such people are found to be prone to cancer or a shorter lifespan.
Circadian Rhythm
Most
people tend to feel energized at certain times during the day and some drowsy.
This is due to the circadian rhythm which is a 24-hour internal clock that moves between being sleepy and being alert at specific
times of the day. The circadian rhythm is also known as the sleep cycle or wake
cycle.
Most adults find a low point in their
energy levels between 2:00 to 4:00 a.m/p.m, when they are usually fast asleep
or when they are looking forward to a nap post lunch. However, these time
estimates could vary between individuals, if you are not used to sleeping post
lunch or if you are a morning person.
The
light or dark cycle is synchronized in a 24-hour period.When it is dark, the
brain sends signals to the body to release melatonin which makes the person
tired. This is however disrupted in call center and night shift workers who work during the night and are awake
during the day. The normal sleep pattern of these individuals is affected and
is also the reason why they find it very hard to stay awake during the night
and are unable to sleep well during the day.
The
disruption in the sleep pattern of these night workers is not only disrupted
but also results in poor attention span. The current study that has identified
the activation of specific genes during times of stress is an indication that
prolonged period of stress could result in long term activation of these genes,
increasing signs of aging and leads to the risk of cancer. This study brings to
the focus the need to
maintain
the right sleep work pattern that matches the body's biological
clock.
References :- What is Circadian Rhythm? - (https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/what-circadian-rhythm)
Source: Medindia
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