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Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Vol.513, No.2, 293-299, 2019
Microcurrent stimulation activates the circadian machinery in mice
The circadian rhythm, which regulates various body functions, is transcriptionally controlled by a series of clock gene clusters. The clock genes are related to the pathology of various kinds of diseases, which in turn, is related to aging. Aging in humans is a worldwide problem; it induces sleep disorders and disruption of the circadian rhythm. It also decreases ocular vision and appetite and weakens the synchronization of clock genes by light and food. Therefore, a simple method for the synchronization of clock genes in the body is required. In this study, the influence of microcurrent stimulation (MCS) on the circadian machinery in wild-type (WT) and Clock mutant (Clk/Clk) mice was investigated. MCS induced Pert mRNA expression in cultured mouse astrocytes; cAMP response element (CRE) in the Pert mouse promoter was found to be important for the induction of Per/mRNA. In addition, MCS increased the Pert mRNA levels in mouse livers and caused the phase advance of the Per/expression rhythm. The protein expression rhythm of phosphor-cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB) was altered and the phase of expression of pCREB protein advanced. Finally, the influence of MCS on the locomotor activity rhythm in WT and Clk/Clk mice was investigated. MCS caused the phase advance of the locomotor activity rhythm in WT and Clk/Clk mice. The results of this study indicate that MCS activated the clock machinery in mice; MCS may thus improve the quality of new treatment modalities in the future. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.