Is chronodisruption a vulnerability factor to stress?

ABSTRACT

Since the circadian system seems to modulate stress responses, this study aimed to evaluate if the combination of circadian strain and stress amplifies changes expected from each factor alone. Control Balb/c mice (1212-NS) kept in standard 1212 lightdark cycles (LD) and submitted to no stress procedures (NS) were compared to groups submitted to shortened LD (1010-NS), chronic mild stress (CMS) but no circadian strain (1212-CMS), or shortened LD followed by CMS (1010-CMS). Rest-activity/temperature rhythms and body weight were assessed throughout the experiments. In Experiment 1 mice were submitted to 3 weeks of CMS; in Experiment 2 sucrose preference and light-dark tests were performed. Also, blood samples were collected at the end of Experiment 2 to assess metabolic parameters. Relative amplitude of temperature after CMS was increased only in the 1010-CMS group, while body weight change was reduced during CMS regardless of LD intervention. During the CMS, the relative amplitude of temperature was negatively correlated with body weight gain. No differences in behavior and metabolic parameters were seen among groups. Identifying suitable research designs to investigate our hypothesis that circadian disturbances may increase vulnerability to stress-induced depression and anxiety is warranted.