The emission is in partnership with “Le Mag de l’Inserm,” co-hosted by Yann Cornillier.
Biological clocks correspond to internal mechanisms present in our cells, allowing the measurement of time and anticipation of day/night alternation. This circadian system (~24h) coordinates essential functions such as sleep, body temperature, hormone secretion, and metabolism. It relies on a central brain clock, synchronized by light, and peripheral clocks specific to each organ.
At the molecular level, these rhythms are based on “clock genes” organized in feedback loops, such as BMAL and CLOCK or PER and CRY. This cyclical self-regulation controls the expression of many genes involved in functions like glycemia or immunity.
These clocks orchestrate a true temporal programming of the body: metabolism anticipates meals, the cardiovascular system adjusts to waking up, and cognitive functions vary by the hour. Approximately 10% of a cell’s genes are regulated in a circadian manner.
These rhythms are sensitive to various disruptors: jet lag, night work, artificial light, screens, or meal irregularities. Their desynchronization leads to sleep, cognitive, or digestive disorders and constitutes a risk factor for pathologies like obesity, diabetes, certain cancers, or mood disorders.
These findings have led to the emergence of a new discipline, chronomedicine, aiming to adapt treatments to biological rhythms: the effectiveness and toxicity of certain medications vary depending on the time of administration, such as in chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or cardiology. This approach paves the way for a more personalized and temporally optimized medicine.
[Context: The article discusses the role of biological clocks in regulating various bodily functions and their implications for health and medical treatments.]
[Fact Check: The content focuses on the scientific understanding of circadian rhythms, their impact on health, and the development of chronomedicine for personalized treatment regimens.]
