Circadian Control of Gastrointestinal Motility

With the earth's 24-h rotation cycle, physiological function fluctuates in both diurnal and nocturnal animals, thereby ensuring optimal functioning of the body. The main regulator of circadian rhythm is the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which is considered the main pacemaker or "central clock" of the body. Located in the anterior hypothalamus, the SCN influences the activity of other brain regions, as well as peripheral organs, through the release of melatonin and corticosteroids. The SCN can be entrained by several cues, with light being the major cue. Light information from the retina is received by the SCN via the retinohypothalamic tract. Non-photic cues such as temperature and exercise can also entrain the SCN, while feeding time can entrain the "molecular clock" contained within peripheral tissues. This enables organs such as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to coordinate function with environmental factors, such as food availability.The GI tract, which has the main functions of receiving and digesting food, and expelling waste, also shows oscillations in its activity during the circadian cycle. While these changes are evident under normal conditions, GI function is affected when normal circadian rhythm is disrupted. Recent reviews have assessed interactions between the central clock and gut clock; as such, this review aims to focus on the presence of endogenous circadian rhythms in the GI tract, with particular focus to changes to gastrointestinal motility.