Circadian Rhythm Of Heart Rate Research Articles

Continuous physiological welfare evaluation of European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) during common aquaculture practices leading up to slaughter

European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) is an aquaculture species with the potential for expanded cultivation in the fresh and brackish waters of Northern Europe. Yet, relatively little species-specific information is available regarding the stress responses and associated welfare implications for this species in captivity. We addressed this knowledge gap by using a combination of implantable heart rate bio-loggers and a range of traditional stress indicators (e.g. haematological parameters and plasma concentrations of cortisol, glucose and ions) to comprehensively evaluate the physiological responses of freely swimming whitefish in captivity, as well as when subjected to aquaculture practices and stressors that commonly occur prior to and during slaughter. Whitefish appeared to recover rapidly from surgery, as resting heart rate decreased within 36 h to stabilize at ~25 beats min−1 for the next 18 days when fish were left relatively undisturbed (i.e. personnel were only present when feeding fish). In contrast with previous studies on farmed rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon, whitefish did not exhibit a clear circadian heart rate rhythm, which may be related to species-specific differences in diurnal locomotor activity. Whitefish also appear to have a well-developed capacity for thermal acclimation of heart rate, as daily resting heart rate did not change during the undisturbed period despite an increase in body temperature from ~6.8 to 11.2 °C. Following acute stressors such as crowding and transportation, the physiological response of whitefish typically involved transient elevations in heart rate, plasma cortisol and glucose, and red blood cell swelling, while plasma [K+] decreased. In contrast, the heart rate of whitefish plummeted following the combination of brailing (i.e. to haul in fish with a brail/net) and CO2 exposure prior to slaughter, while plasma cortisol, glucose and [Ca2+] significantly increased. An unforeseen finding concerns the substantial and long-lasting physiological stress response observed in whitefish when held in close proximity (i.e. within ~10 m) to a rainbow trout net pen, as the mean heart rate of whitefish increased from ~32 to 43 beats min−1 (i.e. an increase of ~34%). This may represent an innate physiological response to the threat of predation, which consequently increases the allostatic load and energetic expenditure of whitefish when farmed alongside salmonids. To conclude, this study highlights the importance of performing long-term, species-specific evaluations of freely swimming fish in real aquaculture settings, and provides a platform for further research aiming to determine the welfare implications of simultaneously farming predatory and prey species in close proximity.

Circadian Rhythm of Heart Rate Assessed by Wearable Devices Tends to Correlate with the Circadian Rhythm of Salivary Cortisol Concentration in Healthy Young Adults

Circadian Rhythm of Heart Rate Assessed by Wearable Devices Tends to Correlate with the Circadian Rhythm of Salivary Cortisol Concentration in Healthy Young Adults

Applications of a novel radiotelemetry method for the measurement of intrathoracic pressures and physiological rhythms in freely behaving mice.

Techniques to comprehensively evaluate pulmonary function carry a variety of limitations, including the ability to continuously record intrathoracic pressures (ITP), acutely and chronically, in a natural state of freely behaving animals. Measurement of ITP can be used to derive other respiratory parameters, which provide insight to lung health. Our aim was to develop a surgical approach for the placement of a telemetry pressure sensor to measure ITP, providing the ability to chronically measure peak pressure, breath frequency, and timing of the respiratory cycle to facilitate circadian analyses related to breathing patterns. Applications of this technique are shown using a moderate hypoxic challenge. Male C57Bl/6 mice were implanted with radiotelemetry devices to record heart rate, temperature, activity, and ITP during 24-h normoxia, 24-h hypoxia ([Formula: see text] = 0.15), and return to 48-h normoxia. Radiotelemetry of ITP permitted the detection of hypoxia-induced increases in "the ITP equivalent" of ventilation, which were driven by increases in breathing frequency and ITP on a short-term time scale. Respiratory frequency, derived from pressure waveforms, was increased by a decrease in expiratory time without changes in inspiratory time. Chronically, telemetric recording allowed for circadian analyses of respiratory drive, as assessed by inspiratory pressure divided by inspiratory time, which was increased by hypoxia and remained elevated for 48 h of recovery. Furthermore, respiratory frequency demonstrated a circadian rhythm, which was disrupted through the recovery period. In conclusion, radiotelemetry of ITP is a viable, long-term, chronic methodology that extends traditional methods to evaluate respiratory function in mice.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We have demonstrated for the first time in mice that radiotelemetry is an effective tool for the continuous and chronic recording of intrathoracic pressure (ITP) to facilitate circadian rhythm analyses. We show that continuous 24-h hypoxic stress alters the circadian rhythms of heart rate, body temperature, activity, and respiratory parameters, acutely and perpetually, through normoxic recovery. Radiotelemetry of ITP can complement traditional methods for evaluating respiratory function and better our understanding of respiratory pathophysiology.

Cardiac autonomic activity during sleep deprivation with and without caffeine administration

Caffeine is often consumed to mitigate degraded alertness associated with sleep deprivation. Both caffeine and sleep deprivation have been implicated in cardiovascular disease, but evidence is largely anecdotal. We determined the effects of sleep deprivation and caffeine on markers of cardiac autonomic activity. Twelve healthy young adults completed an 18-day laboratory study. They were exposed to three 48 h sessions of acute total sleep deprivation (TSD), each separated by three recovery days. In randomized, counter-balanced order, subjects received 0 mg (placebo), 200 mg, or 300 mg of caffeine at 12 h intervals during each sleep deprivation session. Every 2 h during scheduled wakefulness, a 15-minute neurobehavioral task battery was administered, during which heart rate (HR) and the high frequency (HF) component of the HR variability power spectrum (HF-HRV) were measured. Caffeine administration decreased HR and increased HF-HRV, indicating elevated parasympathetic activity. The 300 mg caffeine dose did not significantly affect autonomic activity to a greater extent than the 200 mg dose. There was no significant effect of 48 h of TSD on HR, whereas there was a small increase across hours awake in HF-HRV. There was no significant interaction of TSD with caffeine. Circadian rhythmicity in HR and HF-HRV surpassed the magnitude of the effects of caffeine and TSD. Caffeine and acute TSD thus produced only modest changes in cardiac autonomic activity, unlikely to have immediate clinical implications in healthy young adults. However, further research is needed to determine the long-term effects of chronic exposure to sleep loss and/or caffeine on cardiac health, and to determine the generalizability of our findings to non-healthy populations.

SAT-066 EFFECTS OF PARATHYROIDECTOMY ON NOCTURNAL NON-DIPPING HEART RATE IN STAGE 5 CKD PATIENTS

In healthy population 24-hour heart rate (HR) displays a circadian pattern, peaking shortly after waking and falling during the night, a phenomenon known as “dipping”. Non-dipping HR is defined as nighttime HR decreased less than 10% as compared to daytime readings, which is an independent risk factor for increased cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and all-cause mortality. It is well known that patients with chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) have high risk of CVD and mortality, however, the associations between CKD-MBD and non-dipping HR remain uncertain. Here we evaluated the features of 24-hour HR in stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the effects of parathyroidectomy (PTX) on HR circadian rhythm in severe secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) patients. The cross-sectional study included 213 stage 5 CKD patients and 96 controls. A prospective follow-up study was conducted in 47 PTX patients. Blood examinations and 24-hour Holter monitoring were measured. HR in each hour, daytime (8:00 AM-19:59 PM) and nighttime (20:00 PM-7:59 AM) mean HR values were recorded. Night/day HR ratio was calculated as nighttime/daytime ratio of heart rate, when greater than 0.90 could be considered as non-dipping HR. Stage 5 CKD patients and healthy controls were matched for age and sex. Compared with controls, CKD patients had higher blood pressure, lower body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum albumin and total cholesterol values. In addition, stage 5 CKD group had higher circulating adjusted calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels. Stage 5 CKD patients display higher 24-hour, daytime and nighttime mean HR than controls. Night/day HR ratio in controls and CKD patients were 0.81±0.080, 0.91±0.075 respectively (P＜0.0001) (Table 1). Night/day HR ratio had closely positive correlations with baseline serum Ca, iPTH and ALP, while negatively related with serum urea and albumin levels. In CKD patients, the dipping patterns of 24-hour HR were shallower in both non-PTX and PTX group, especially in severe SHPT patients(Figure 1). After PTX (median follow-up interval: 11.84±11.33 months), the non-dipping HR pattern was reversed in severe SHPT patients, and Night/day HR ratio decreased from 0.92±0.077 to 0.88±0.075 (P=0.01) (Figure 2). Twenty four hour heart rate in stage 5 CKD patients displayed non-dipping pattern, mainly due to increased nighttime HR. Severe SHPT patients have more serious non-dipping HR, which could be reversed by parathyroidectomy. Rhythm abnormalities of heart rate are suggested to be taken seriously and treated effectively in order to decrease CVD and all-cause mortality in CKD-MBD patients.

Melatonin attenuates light-at-night effects on systolic blood pressure and body temperature but does not affect diastolic blood pressure and heart rate circadian rhythms

ABSTRACT Aim of the present study is to assess whether 1.5mg of exogenous melatonin provided under modified CR in constant light (~400 lx) is capable to mimic effects of dark phase. Forty-six young adults (YA), 17–24 years old of both genders were studied under amodified CR protocol for 26 h. Initially, participants were investigated under constant light (CR-LL) and 2 weeks later under the same conditions though 1.5mg melatonin (Melaxen) was given orally at 22:30. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR) and body temperature (BT) were measured every 2 h. To verify the effect of constant light, formerly published results obtained under light-dark conditions (CR-LD) were reanalyzed. Administration of 1.5 mg of exogenous melatonin modified the 24 h patterns of BT and SBP within short 3.5 h time window but did not influence DBP and HR. A short-term reduction of SBP and BT for 1.5–3.5 hours was observed. The values in the CR-LL+M group were significantly lower than in CR-LL at 2:00 h. Hence, exogenous melatonin did mimic the scotophase. Though this effect was gender-specific and found only in female YA. Results of this study prompt further research to qualify and quantify dosage-, duration- and time-dependent differences of melatonin effects, to discern between short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) melatonin administration, and to clarify its underlying mechanisms.

Cardiac autonomic activity during simulated shift work.

Shift work leads to adverse health outcomes including increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) are measures of cardiac autonomic activity and markers of cardiovascular disease and mortality. To investigate the effects of shift work on cardiac autonomic activity, we assessed the influence of simulated night work on HR and HRV, and dissociated the direct effects of circadian misalignment from those of sleep displacement and altered physical activity patterns. A total of 29 subjects each participated in one of two in-laboratory, simulated shift work studies. In both studies, EKG was continuously monitored via Holter monitors to measure HR and the high frequency (HF) component of HRV (HF-HRV). We found endogenous circadian rhythmicity in HR and HF-HRV. Sleep and waking physical activity, both displaced during simulated night work, had more substantial, and opposite, effects on HR and HF-HRV. Our findings show systematic but complex, interacting effects of time of day, sleep/wake state, and physical activity on cardiac autonomic activity. These effects need to be taken into account when evaluating HR and HRV in shift work settings and when interpreting these measures of cardiac autonomic activity as markers of cardiovascular disease.

The final countdown: Continuous physiological welfare evaluation of farmed fish during common aquaculture practices before and during harvest

Welfare of farmed fish has become of increasing concern for consumers, producers, interest groups and authorities. To improve fish welfare, it is necessary to find indicators that can identify stressful situations early enough so that an intervention can take place before detrimental effects occur. By using heart rate bio-loggers in freely swimming rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), combined with plasma cortisol levels and a range of haematological and blood chemistry parameters, we assessed the severity of stress responses induced by a range of common aquaculture practices before and during harvest. Following surgery, transportation and reintroduction with conspecifics in the sea cage, it took ~4 days for heart rate to stabilize and for a clear circadian rhythm in heart rate to emerge (i.e. average circadian fluctuation in heart rate of ~25 to 27 beats min−1). The presence or absence of this circadian rhythm in heart rate could inform researchers in the aquaculture industry whether or not specific farming routines induce unnecessary and prolonged stress. The elevations in heart rate caused by common farming practises such as crowding and transportation (e.g. heart rate increased by ~8 and 9 beats min−1 above what would normally be expected for that time of day, respectively) corresponded well with increases in plasma cortisol levels. Stressful farming practises or events (indicated by elevated plasma cortisol levels) such as air exposure during brailing and aquatic hypoxia triggered a hypoxic bradycardia until fish were released back into oxygenated water whereupon heart rate significantly increased to repay the accumulated oxygen debt. Repeated stress induced by multiple farming practises (i.e. combined stressors of crowding, brailing and transportation) clearly had a cumulative and long-lasting effect as heart rate peaked at ~25 beats min−1 above what would normally be expected for that time of day. Heart rate also remained significantly elevated by ~9 beats min−1 the following morning, suggesting that if rainbow trout need to be subjected to multiple stressors during consequtive days, it is recommended that sufficient time for recovery is provided between stressors. This study demonstrates that heart rate monitoring can be useful to assess stress levels of freely swimming fish in sea cages. Moreover, the use of implantable bio-loggers opens up a broad range of possible applications that will allow researchers to investigate the effects of environmental and/or anthropogenic stressors on the welfare of fish under conditions more realistic to the aquaculture industry.

Night-time heart rate nondipping: clinical and prognostic significance in the general population.

Studies addressing the association between a reduced drop of heart rate (HR) at night with subclinical organ damage and cardiovascular events in the general population are scanty. We evaluated this issue in individuals enrolled in the Pressioni Monitorate E Loro Associazioni study. At entry, 2021 individuals underwent diagnostic tests including laboratory investigations, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring and echocardiography. Participants were followed from the initial medical visit for a time interval of 148 ± 27 months. To explore the association of circadian HR rhythm and outcomes, participants were classified in the primary analysis according to quartiles of nocturnal HR decrease. In secondary analyses, the population was also classified according nondipping nocturnal HR (defined as a drop in average HR at night lower than 10% compared with day-time values) and next in four categories: first, BP/HR dipper, second, BP/HR nondipper, third, HR dipper/BP nondipper, fourth, HR nondipper/BP dipper). A flattened circadian HR rhythm (i.e. lowest quartile of night-time HR dip) was independently associated with left atrial enlargement, but not to left ventricular hypertrophy; moreover, it was predictive of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, independently of several confounders (hazard ratio 1.8, confidence interval: 1.13-2.86, P < 0.01 vs. highest quartile). A blunted dipping of nocturnal HR is associated with preclinical cardiac damage in terms of left atrial enlargement and is predictive cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the general population.

Shifts in the light-dark cycle increase unpredictability of the cardiovascular system.

Physiological variables such as heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) exhibit long-term circadian rhythms, which can be disturbed by shift work. On the other hand, short-term oscillations in HR and BP have a high prognostic value. Therefore, we aimed to determine if the short-term variability, complexity and entropy of HR and BP would be affected by a regular light/dark (LD) cycle and phase delay shifts of the LD cycle, leading to chronodisruption. Telemetry-monitored rats were exposed first to the regular LD cycle and then to shifts in LD for 8weeks. On the basis of long-term HR and BP recording and evaluation, we found circadian rhythms in HR and BP variability, complexity and entropy under regular LD cycles. Short-term exposure to shifts disturbed circadian rhythms of HR and BP variability, complexity and entropy, indicating chronodisruption. The power of circadian rhythms was suppressed after 8weeks of phase delay shifts. Long-term exposure to shifts increased variability (p=0.007), complexity (p<0.001) and dark-time entropy (p=0.006) of HR but not BP. This is the first study demonstrating long-term recording and estimation of HR and BP variability, complexity and entropy in conscious rats exposed to irregular lighting conditions. After long-term phase delay shifts, short-term variability of HR was less predictable than in controls. This study suggests that changes in short-term HR and BP oscillations induced by long-term shift work can negatively affect cardiovascular health.

Cardiac parameters during the estrous cycle of canine bitches

ABSTRACT: The cardiovascular parameters of canine bitches were assessed during the estrous cycle. A total of eleven mongrel female dogs were enrolled in a longitudinal prospective investigation. Six animals were bred during the study and were assigned into group I, in which evaluations were performed during proestrus, estrus, gestational diestrus and anestrus. The five remaining bitches were not bred and underwent evaluations during proestrus, estrus, nongestational diestrus and anestrus. The holter data showed a gradual increase in the minimum and mean heart rate along pregnancy, as well as a reduction during anestrus, which differed significantly among the distinct periods. The values for maximal heart rate documented during pregnancy were significantly lower than those recorded during anestrus, and a variation in the heart rate circadian rhythm was also found, as demonstrated by decreases at night and rises during the day. Cardiac rhythm had a similar performance in both pregnancy and anestrus. Likewise, the blood pressure, electrocardiography, and echocardiography data did not vary during the estrous cycle. The results support the role played by the autonomic nervous system during these two distinct periods in order to attain a heart rate that provides the blood needed by the female’s body during the various stages of the reproductive cycle. Further studies are needed to better clarify the cardiovascular compensatory neuroendocrine events that accompany gestation in this species.

Exposure-response analyses of blood pressure and heart rate changes for methylphenidate in healthy adults.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the exposure-response (E-R) relationships of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) changes in healthy adults taking methylphenidate (MPH). Intensive time profiles of BP and HR from healthy adults in placebo and MPH treatment arms of seven clinical trials from the FDA internal database were utilized for this analysis. The analysis model contains a circadian component for placebo effect and an E-R component to describe drug effect. Internal validation was performed using goodness-of-fit plots and visual predictive check. A meta-database based on a systemic literature search was constructed and used for external validation of the developed models. We found that circadian models could quantify the time profiles of BP/HR in placebo arms. Linear models could describe the correlations between MPH concentrations, and BP/HR changes. The BP and HR changes were highly dependent on the shapes of MPH pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles without an apparent time delay. MPH has the greatest effect on HR, followed by systolic BP, and diastolic BP. Internal validation revealed that the developed models could adequately describe the circadian rhythms of HR and BP in placebo arms and the E-R relationships of MPH. External validation showed the models had good predictive capability of the literature data. In conclusion, the developed models adequately characterized the circadian rhythm and the MPH induced effects on BP and HR. The changes in BP and HR were highly correlated with MPH blood levels with no apparent delay. The time courses of BP and HR are similar to the MPH PK profiles. As a result, the immediate-release formulation may yield larger maximum BP and HR effect than the extended-release formulation under similar dose.

Effect of One and Two Split Aerobic Exercise Sessions on Circadian Rhythm of Heart Rate and Blood Pressure

The present study investigated the circadian rhythm variations of heart rate and blood pressure due to 1 (60 minutes) and 2 split exercise sessions (2 × 30 minutes) a day. Fourteen healthy students from the University of Tabriz volunteered to participate in current study. Two groups of subjects in a crossover design were randomly allocated as group I (one session per day, twice a day) and vice versa for group II. Having completed the test (treadmill running with an intensity of 70 per cent of Maximum Heart rate), heart rate and blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic) were measured every two hours for 24 hours. Repeated measure (ANOVA) was used for analysis. Each of variables showed normal circadian rhythm. Compared to two split exercise sessions a day, one session a day demonstrated that the level of heart rate circadian rhythm has been set at a rate of five percent below. Circadian rhythm of systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the two split sessions compared with one session a day tended to be set at a lower level and higher level respectively. One aerobic exercise session compared to two split sessions a day with the same total time of exercise a day may decrease systolic blood pressure and heart rate within 24 hours following aerobic treadmill running exercise. Split exercise session could be an appropriate approach for increasing more calories and lowering blood pressure among health seekers while it may delay recovery for the next day training or competition for professional athletes.

Effects of radiation emanating from base transceiver station and mobile phone on sleep, circadian rhythm and cognition in humans – a review

The electromagnetic fields (EMF) are ubiquitous. The base transceiver station (BTS) and mobile phones (MPs) contribute to the generation of EMF around their locations and are regarded as important sources of non-ionizing radiations. The use of mobile phone has increased dramatically in recent years so also the skepticism regarding its effects. In this review, we have made an attempt to scan the key research papers those aimed at elucidating the effects of EMF starting from extreme low frequency (ELF) to radio frequency (RF) through low frequency (LF). We have selected papers that dealt with the effects of radiations emanating from the BTS and MPs on human sleep, circadian rhythm, and cognition. Mostly, we have concentrated on papers published in the last 15 years. We came across conflicting reports. The findings reported in many papers suggest that the exposure to EMF has potentiality to compromise parameters related to sleep quality; in contrast, there are several reports those have given a clean sheet to the EMF exposure. The effects of EMF on circadian rhythms also remain inconclusive. The EMF exposure while did not produce any effect on circadian rhythm of heart rate and blood chemistry, it modulated the rhythms in cortisol and melatonin characterized by a decline in their 24-h circulating levels. The effects of exposure to EMF on cognitive parameters, like performance and memory, are also equivocal. The existing contradictory findings could be attributed to inter-individual variability in tolerance, gender-, and age-dependent differences in response, latitudinal differences in efficacy, variability among employed methodologies and differences in specific absorption rate, frequency of the mobile phone usage, and interaction of EMF with other physiological and environmental factors, among others. The future research should be carried out with added focus on elucidating the modulatory effects of these factors to put an end to the existing controversies on the biological effects of low/RF EMF radiations.

Influences of phase delay shifts of light and food restriction on blood pressure and heart rate in telemetry monitored rats

Effects of phase delay shifts (PDS) of light in combination with moderately increased salt intake (SL) (2%) or time restriction of food (FR) during the light-time (passive phase) on heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP) and locomotor activity (LA) in radiotelemetry-measured rats were evaluated. PDS decreased amplitude and spectral power of circadian oscillations of HR, BP and LA. Moderately increased SL did not interfere with the circadian rhythmicity of HR, BP or LA. A prominent decrease in amplitude and spectral power of circadian oscillations was observed if food was available during the lighttime. Combination of PDS with FR split cardiovascular and behavioural parameters. In conclusion, food availability during the light-time in combination with PDS decreased amplitude and spectral power of circadian oscillations of BP, HR and LA more than PDS only. Different response of cardiovascular and behavioural parameters to photic and non-photic stimuli can have consequences for shift workers.

Abstract 430: Circadian Control of Heart Rate

Background: Bradyarrhythmias occur more frequently at night. On the basis of heart rate variability this is attributed to high vagal tone. Here we tested the alternative hypothesis that an intrinsic circadian clock-driven remodelling of pacemaking ion channels underlies fluctuations in heart rate (HR). Methods and results: The occurrence of a circadian rhythm in HR was tested by placing nocturnal C57BL6/J mice under a strict 12/12h light-dark cycle and telemetry-based ECG intervals measured every 2 h for 48 h. Under these conditions, the R-R interval was rhythmic (n=10). To test whether this is caused by circadian rhythms in the expression of ion channels controlling HR, sinus node (SAN) biopsies were collected at time points corresponding to the minima (ZT0, subjective day) and maxima (ZT12, subjective night) of HR, as determined by ECG recordings. Real-time PCR normalised to 28s demonstrated an elevated expression of the key pacemaking ion channel HCN4 that carries the pacemaker current I f and genes encoding the Ca 2+ -handling proteins SERCA2a and RYR2 at ZT12 ( P &lt;0.05, n=10). Presence of clock machinery (essential transcription factors involved in setting intrinsic circadian rhythms) as potential regulators of ion channel oscillation were investigated in the SAN of mPer1 Luc mice which carry the 5’ upstream region of the mPer1 gene (a key core clock component) fused to a luciferase gene. mPer1-luc bioluminescence was recorded in the isolated SAN using a light-tight photomultiplier tube assembly to reveal a circadian rhythm with a periodicity of 24 h (n=3). Disruption of the molecular clock by global knockout of core clock components Cry1 and Cry2 abrogated the circadian cycling of mPer1-luc in the SN of Cry1 -/- /Cry2 -/- double knockout mice (n=3). Examination of 10[[Unable to Display Character: &amp;#8201;]]kb of the Hcn4 promoter revealed a conserved consensus binding site for CLOCK and its heterodimer BMAL1, other essential transcription factors involved in setting intrinsic circadian rhythms. Conclusions: This is the first demonstration of a peripheral circadian clock in the cardiac pacemaker and circadian oscillations in key pacemaker mechanisms. Data reveal a novel regulator of SN function and the occurrence of bradyarrythmias at night.

Circadian rhythm disruption was observed in hand, foot, and mouth disease patients.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) with central nerve system complications may rapidly progress to fulminated cardiorespiratory failure, with higher mortality and worse prognosis. It has been reported that circadian rhythms of heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate are useful in predicting prognosis of severe cardiovascular and neurological diseases. The present study aims to investigate the characteristics of the circadian rhythms of HR, respiratory rate, and temperature in HFMD patients with neurological complications.Hospitalized HFMD patients including 33 common cases (common group), 61 severe cases (severe group), and 9 critical cases (critical group) were contrasted retrospectively. Their HR, respiratory rate, and temperatures were measured every 4 hours during the first 48-hour in the hospital. Data were analyzed with the least-squares fit of a 24-hour cosine function by the single cosinor and population-mean cosinor method.Results of population-mean cosinor analysis demonstrated that the circadian rhythm of HR, respiratory rate, and temperature was present in the common and severe group, but absent in the critical group. The midline-estimating statistic of rhythm (MESOR) (P = 0.016) and acrophase (P < 0.01) of temperature and respiratory rate were significantly different among 3 groups. But no statistical difference of amplitude in temperature and respiratory rate was observed among the 3 groups (P = 0.14). MESOR value of HR (P < 0.001) was significantly different in 3 groups. However, amplitude and acrophase revealed no statistical difference in circadian characteristics of HR among 3 groups. Compared with the common group, the MESOR of temperature and respiratory rate was significantly higher, and acrophase of temperature and respiratory rate was 2 hours ahead in the severe group, critical HFMD patients lost their population-circadian rhythm of temperature, HR, and respiratory rate. The high values of temperature and respiratory rate for the common group were concentrated between 3 and 9 pm, whereas those for the severe group were more dispersive. And the high values for the critical group were equally distributed in 24 hours of the day.Circadian rhythm of patients’ temperature in the common group was the same as the normal rhythm of human body temperature. Circadian rhythm of patients’ temperature, HR and respiratory rate in 3 groups were significantly different.

Circadian rhythm of heart rate and physical activity in nurses during day and night shifts.

The study investigates if the circadian rhythm of heart rate is apparent during the working periods of day and night shifts in Swiss and Japanese nurses and if it is influenced by work organization. For a better interpretation of the heart rate, the activity profile over these working periods was monitored. Heart rate and activity profile of 18 Swiss and 24 Japanese nurses were measured during oneday and one night shift. The day and the night shift data of each subject were combined, resulting in an approximately 18-h working period. A significant time effect of the mean hourly value of the heart rate was found in Swiss nurses (change in amplitude 7.1bpm) as well as in Japanese nurses (11.8bpm). These effects could be modeled with cosine curves for the Swiss and Japanese subjects. For the activity level significant time effects, similar to the ones in heart rate, were found in Swiss nurses (87% of SD) but not in Japanese nurses (26% of SD). We found a significant time effect in heart rate similar to the known circadian rhythm under normal sleep-wake conditions while working in the studied shift work schedules. In the Japanese nurses, studied heart rate followed a circadian rhythm independently of the level of physical activity. Therefore, an activity profile following the circadian rhythm, especially a reduced workload from 2 to 4 a.m., is proposed. The proposed activity profile could be reached with an adapted work organization.

The effects of moderate hypoxia on circadian rhythm: implications in disease and treatment options (710.1)

Impairments in O2 delivery are a common feature of many chronic diseases (e.g., COPD, diabetes, and anemia). It reduces quality of life and increases morbidity, mortality and hospitalizations in patients. Circadian rhythms in mammals, including humans, are essential to health whereas disruptions exacerbate disease pathogenesis. While severe hypoxia can abolish circadian rhythm, moderate hypoxia is more clinically relevant but its effects on circadian rhythm are unknown. Our objective was to investigate the effects of moderate hypoxia on circadian rhythm. Methods: Mice were implanted with telemetry devices to measure heart rate (HR) and body temperature (Tb). Baseline measurements were obtained and animals subjected to 24 hours of moderate hypoxia (O2 = 15%) followed by 24 hours of normoxic recovery. Results: Moderate hypoxia disrupted, but did not abolish, the circadian rhythm of HR and Tb. Amplitude of circadian rhythm for HR was altered during both sleep and active states whereas Tb amplitude was altered only during sleep. Importantly, these disruptions persisted following 24 hours of normoxic recovery. Conclusions: A single 24 hour exposure of moderate hypoxia is sufficient to alter HR and Tb circadian rhythm, which does not recover within 24 hours of reoxygenation. This suggests that moderate hypoxia may have a critical role in disease pathogenesis.Grant Funding Source: Supported by Canadian Institute of Health Research

Circadian variation of heart rate variability across sleep stages.

Nocturnal cardiovascular events are more frequent at the beginning and end of the night. It was proposed that this pattern reflects the nocturnal distribution of sleep and sleep stages. Using heart rate variability (HRV), we recently showed an interaction between the circadian system and vigilance states on the regulation of cardiac rhythmicity. Here, we further investigate this interaction in order to clarify the specific effects of sleep stages on the regulation of the heart. Participants underwent a 72-h ultradian sleep-wake cycle procedure in time isolation consisting of alternating 60-min wake episodes in dim light and 60-min nap opportunities in total darkness. Time isolation suite. Fifteen healthy young participants; two were subsequently excluded. N/A. The current study revealed that sleep onset and progression to deeper sleep stages was associated with a shift toward greater parasympathetic modulation, whereas rapid eye movement (REM) sleep was associated with a shift toward greater sympathetic modulation. We found a circadian rhythm of heart rate (HR) and high-frequency power during wakefulness and all non-REM sleep stages. A significant circadian rhythm of HR and sympathovagal balance of the heart was also observed during REM sleep. During slow wave sleep, maximal parasympathetic modulation was observed at ∼02:00, whereas during REM sleep, maximal sympathetic modulation occurred in the early morning. The circadian and sleep stage-specific effects on heart rate variability are clinically relevant and contribute to the understanding of the degree of cardiovascular vulnerability during sleep.