Date of Presentation

5-2-2024 12:00 AM

College

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine

Poster Abstract

Circadian misalignment, as experienced by shift workers, was found to increase the number of astrocytes in the nucleus tractus solitarius (nTS) - a brain region crucial for autonomic control of blood pressure. Sprague Dawley rats subjected to a 6-hour light-dark phase delay every 2 days to simulate shift work exhibited a significant increase in astrocyte cell bodies compared to control rats, both at 9am and 9pm timepoints. The increase in astrocytes may lead to greater glutamate uptake, reducing extracellular glutamate levels in the nTS. Decreased glutamatergic neurotransmission in this region has been linked to the development of hypertension. These findings suggest that circadian misalignment induces astrocyte proliferation in the nTS, which could impair glutamate signaling and contribute to the elevated blood pressure observed in shift workers. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which astrocyte changes in the nTS mediate the hypertensive effects of circadian disruption. This research provides important insights into how shift work and circadian misalignment may adversely impact cardiovascular health through alterations in astrocyte morphology and function within the nTS.

Keywords

Glia, Neuroglia, Shiftwork, Shift Work Schedule, Circadian Misalignment, Circadian Rhythm, Hypertension, Astrocytes, Nucleus Tractus Solitarii, Rats

Disciplines

Cardiovascular Diseases | Disease Modeling | Disorders of Environmental Origin | Environmental Public Health | Investigative Techniques | Medicine and Health Sciences | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Document Type

Poster

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May 2nd, 12:00 AM

The Effects of Circadian Misalignment on Astrocyte Morphology in the Nucleus Tractus Solitarius

Circadian misalignment, as experienced by shift workers, was found to increase the number of astrocytes in the nucleus tractus solitarius (nTS) - a brain region crucial for autonomic control of blood pressure. Sprague Dawley rats subjected to a 6-hour light-dark phase delay every 2 days to simulate shift work exhibited a significant increase in astrocyte cell bodies compared to control rats, both at 9am and 9pm timepoints. The increase in astrocytes may lead to greater glutamate uptake, reducing extracellular glutamate levels in the nTS. Decreased glutamatergic neurotransmission in this region has been linked to the development of hypertension. These findings suggest that circadian misalignment induces astrocyte proliferation in the nTS, which could impair glutamate signaling and contribute to the elevated blood pressure observed in shift workers. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which astrocyte changes in the nTS mediate the hypertensive effects of circadian disruption. This research provides important insights into how shift work and circadian misalignment may adversely impact cardiovascular health through alterations in astrocyte morphology and function within the nTS.

 

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