Phenotypic characterization of circadian rhythms and body mass index (BMI) in individuals with different genotypes for clock genes polymorphisms: comparison between college students from morning and evening schedules

• Grant number: 19/06294-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: October 01, 2019
• End date: January 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - General Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Mario Pedrazzoli Neto
• Grantee: Juliana Viana Mendes
• Host Institution: Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades (EACH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/50457-0 - Melatonin and the control of energy metabolism: basic, clinical and epidemiological research, AP.TEM

Abstract

Individual differences in sleep duration, sleep onset and sleep offset, and preference for certain schedules in order to perform daily activities are associated with so-called chronotype. Studies about chronotype bring up the problem of the adaptation of individuals to the temporal organization of society and its implications for human health and productivity. The molecular circadian timing system involves genes known as clock genes, e.g. PER3. These genes are associated with the regulation of physiological processes, which are synchronized with the environmental light/dark, wake/sleep cycle and metabolic energy balance. Recent studies show the association between variations in the clock genes and also in the genes of the melatonin synthesis pathway, such as the HIOMT and AANAT genes, with sleep regulation. The possibility of sleep disruption and decrease in melatonin synthesis, due to the interaction between social, environmental and genetic factors, is related to the increase in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Night shift jobs and studying at night are possible social contexts which sleep can be disrupted. In the present project we aim to investigate, through the students who have nocturnal study schedule, possible associations between chronotype, polymorphisms in the clock genes and the consequences for the energetic metabolism of attending classes in the beginning of the night. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

MENDES, Juliana Viana. Phenotypic characterization of circadian rhythms, sleep, and Body Mass Index (BMI) in undergraduate students with different genotypes for the VNTR polymorphism in the PER3 gene. 2022. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades (EACH) São Paulo.