Dysfunctional Circadian Rhythm Is Associated with Food Consumption, Obesity and Related Metabolic Diseases: Role of Ion Channels

Abstract

Circadian oscillators are the body’s biological clocks which exhibited in most of living organisms from bacteria to higher vertebrates. They are responsible for organizing a variety of biochemical and physiological cellular functions with a rhythmic period of a day cycle (24 h, circadian, repeat cycle in a day) even without any timing indicators. Any disruption in synchronization of circadian rhythm (chronodistruption) causes a wide range of complications which can be referred to as metabolic syndrome, obesity or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Food intake can be stimulated because of its hedonic properties, although energy need is sufficiently provided. Addiction can be determined as excessive intake of either drug or food. Drug and food addiction shares some similar hedonic neuroadaptative properties in perception reward circuits. That could be as a result of childhood physical or psychological trauma by increasing neurotransmitter hypersensivity or dysregulation. Circadian clocks are key players of hormone synthesis and release, which cause cellular adaptations to the body environment. Ion channels are protein structured gate keepers located in the cell membrane, allowing charged ions to move across the membrane. They contribute and regulate many of cellular functions in the body. Ion channels act as an important player in circadian phases and also subsequent physiological functions by contributing in signaling pathway including homeostasis, gene expression, etc. Hence, this review focuses on the importance of chronobiology and its role on prevention of obesity, T2DM and regulation of the ion channels by circadian rhythm.