Circadian Rhythm: Potential Therapeutic Target for Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences 2021-01, Vol.22 (2), p.676
• Main Authors: Man, Andy W C, Li, Huige, Xia, Ning
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adipose tissue; Animals; Arteriosclerosis; Atherosclerosis; Atherosclerosis - etiology; Atherosclerosis - metabolism; Atherosclerosis - therapy; Biological activity; Biological clocks; Biomarkers; Blood platelets; Blood pressure; Blood vessels; Cardiovascular diseases; Cardiovascular system; Circadian Clocks - genetics; circadian disruption; Circadian rhythm; Circadian Rhythm - drug effects; Circadian Rhythm - genetics; Circadian Rhythm - physiology; Circadian rhythms; clock genes; Cytokines; Disease Management; Disease Susceptibility; Diurnal variations; Endothelium; Environmental changes; Gene expression; Gene Expression Regulation - drug effects; Heart attacks; Homeostasis; Humans; Hypertension; Immune system; Inflammation; Lipids; Metabolism; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Oxidative stress; Proteins; Review; Synchronization; Therapeutic applications; Therapeutic targets; Thrombosis; Thrombosis - etiology; Thrombosis - metabolism; Thrombosis - therapy; Vascular Diseases - etiology; Vascular Diseases - metabolism; Vascular Diseases - therapy; Vascular system
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020676

Every organism has an intrinsic biological rhythm that orchestrates biological processes in adjusting to daily environmental changes. Circadian rhythms are maintained by networks of molecular clocks throughout the core and peripheral tissues, including immune cells, blood vessels, and perivascular adipose tissues. Recent findings have suggested strong correlations between the circadian clock and cardiovascular diseases. Desynchronization between the circadian rhythm and body metabolism contributes to the development of cardiovascular diseases including arteriosclerosis and thrombosis. Circadian rhythms are involved in controlling inflammatory processes and metabolisms, which can influence the pathology of arteriosclerosis and thrombosis. Circadian clock genes are critical in maintaining the robust relationship between diurnal variation and the cardiovascular system. The circadian machinery in the vascular system may be a novel therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The research on circadian rhythms in cardiovascular diseases is still progressing. In this review, we briefly summarize recent studies on circadian rhythms and cardiovascular homeostasis, focusing on the circadian control of inflammatory processes and metabolisms. Based on the recent findings, we discuss the potential target molecules for future therapeutic strategies against cardiovascular diseases by targeting the circadian clock.