Int Neurourol J.
2011 Jun;15(2):64-73.
Circadian Rhythms in Urinary Functions: Possible Roles of Circadian Clocks?
- Affiliations
-
- 1Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. sehyung@khu.ac.kr
- 2Neurodegeneration Control Research Center, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 3Department of Physiology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 4Department of Urology, Gachon University Gil Hospital, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Incheon, Korea.
Abstract
- Circadian clocks are the endogenous oscillators that harmonize a variety of physiological processes within the body. Although many urinary functions exhibit clear daily or circadian variation in diurnal humans and nocturnal rodents, the precise mechanisms of these variations are as yet unclear. In this review, we briefly introduce circadian clocks and their organization in mammals. We then summarize known daily or circadian variations in urinary function. Importantly, recent findings by others as well as results obtained by us suggest an active role of circadian clock genes in various urinary functions. Finally, we discuss possible research avenues for the circadian control of urinary function.
