Healthy
Conditions
Keywords
Chronobiology, Circadian rhythms, Heritability, Twins
Brief summary
The purpose of this investigation is to assess the role of the genetic and environmental factor on circadian system, in free living conditions by the use of a female twin population. With the results from this study, the investigators expect to advance in the understanding of the role of the endogenicity of the circadian system variables such as temperature, activity, sleep and timing of food intake as the main cause of the coincidence of the rhythms. However, the investigators expected that some parameters are still dependent on environment to a relevant extent and, hence, amenable to change through external interventions.
Detailed description
Twin studies are a classic in the analysis of the relative contribution of genetic and environmental factors to behavior and other phenotypes. These models are most often used to separate genetic from environmental causes in the family resemblance methodology. These models based on twins have been previously carried out in chronobiology. In fact, during the years 1993 and 1994, Paul Linkowski et al., performed two relevant studies on the circadian system to analyze the relative contributions of hereditary and/or environmental factors of cortisol secretion and blood pressure, respectively, and concluded that genetic factors control some of the characteristics of cortisol and diastolic blood pressure circadian rhythmicity. The heritability of other circadian markers has also demonstrated such as morningness- eveningness (44%), sleep-related variables have also pointed to a relevant role of genetics with heritability estimates of sleep duration between 17% and 55%. However, to the investigators knowledge, the heritability of other relevant chronobiological markers, measured in free living conditions such as body temperature, actigraphy and sleep has not been studied. These goals will be achieved through a specific approach: * Observational (Aim 1): To study the potential effect of the genetic and environmental factor in the circadian system health in order to improve the chronobiological therapies in the clinical practice (n=106).
Interventions
OTHERChronobiological status of the subjects
Participation was completely voluntary and not remunerated. The subjects were organized into groups of 5 pairs, and were given an appointment at a university facility located in the city center, where informed consent was signed prior to the procedures indicated below. An informational letter was sent to pre-selected individuals. Later a phone call confirmed their availability. * Temperature rhythm was assessed continuously for 7 days using a temperature sensor and programmed to collect information every 10 min. * Body position and rest-activity rhythm were assessed over the same 7 days using a Acceleration Data Logger that record data every min and placed on the non-dominant arm by means of an elastic band, with its X axis parallel to the humerus bone. * Diet and sleep record were completed over the same week, their sleep schedules and their nutritional status.
Sponsors
Universidad de Murcia
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
OTHER
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Inclusion criteria
IInclusion Criteria: * Body Mass Index: \>19 kg/m2 * Age: between 18 and 70 year of age * Caucasian
Exclusion criteria
* Receiving treatment with thermogenic, lipogenic, or contraceptive drugs * Diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, hepatic diseases, or cancer diagnosis * Bulimia diagnosis, prone to binge eating * Undergoing treatment with anxiolytic or antidepressant drugs
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature record | Total of 1 week between Visit 1 and 2 | Measured using temperature sensor |
| Actigraphy record | Total of 1 week between Visit 1 and 2 | Measured using Pendant Acceleration Data Logger |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Light record | Total of 1 week between Visit 1 and 2 | Measured using Pendant Acceleration Data Logger |
| Sleep record | Total of 1 week between Visit 1 and 2 | Measured using Pendant Acceleration Data Logger |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep Duration | Total of 1 week between Visit 1 and 2 | Sleep duration will be computed from self-reported |
| Chronotype | Total of 1 week between Visit 1 and 2 | Assessed using the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire |
| Total Energy Intake | Total of 1 week between Visit 1 and 2 | Total energy intake in kcal/day will be computed from 7-day 24-hr dietary recalls |
| Dietary Composition | Total of 1 week between Visit 1 and 2 | Macronutrient and micronutrient intake will be computed from 7-days of self-reported 24-hr dietary recalls |
| Dietary Intake Timing | Total of 1 week between Visit 1 and 2 | Food timing will be self-reported and averaged across 7-days of 24-hr dietary recalls |
Countries
Spain
Outcome results
None listed