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Circadian rhythm and atherosclerosis (Review)
Zaiqiang Zhang1,2, Bin Yu1,2, Xinan Wang1,2
1Department of Cardiology, The First College of Clinical Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443000, P.R. China.
Disrupted circadian rhythms, the body's daily cycles, may accelerate atherosclerosis, the main cause of heart disease. Understanding this link is crucial for developing new treatments for this widespread condition.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Chronobiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a major global health burden, causing significant morbidity and mortality.
- Its development involves metabolic disorders, endothelial dysfunction, and chronic arterial inflammation.
- Daily biological rhythms (circadian rhythms) influence metabolism, vascular function, and immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of circadian rhythm disruption on atherosclerosis progression.
- To explore the mechanisms linking circadian misalignment to cardiovascular disease.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing current research on circadian rhythms and atherosclerosis.
- Analysis of physiological processes affected by circadian cycles in relation to atherogenesis.
Main Results:
- Circadian rhythm disruption is increasingly recognized as a contributing factor to atherosclerosis.
- Misaligned biological clocks can exacerbate metabolic dysfunction, endothelial impairment, and inflammatory processes.
- Evidence suggests a direct role for circadian regulators in arterial wall health.
Conclusions:
- Circadian rhythm plays a significant role in the pathogenesis and progression of atherosclerosis.
- Further research into the circadian basis of atherosclerosis may reveal novel therapeutic targets.
- Maintaining healthy circadian rhythms could be important for cardiovascular health.
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