healthmedicinet

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According to recent findings, we are able to regulate our breathing throughout the day thanks to the molecular clock that is derived from the time-keeping genes in our cells. Mice lacking a functioning molecular clock do not exhibit a daily fluctuation in respiratory chemoreflex, according to Wisconsin’s Marquette University researchers. This indicates that regardless of the time of day, these mice respond to low oxygen or high carbon dioxide by breathing at the same pace. This is an unusual absence of variety. The results are presented in a recent research that appears in the journal Function.n

The researchers also discovered that the clock is required for a daily change in the oxygen chemoreflex in a certain group of cells, mostly in the brain. These cells are defined by neuroscientists as

Respiratory chemoreflex relates to how people breathe in response to low oxygen or high carbon dioxide levels. For optimal health, humans and animals must increase their breathing when the brain detects either of these situations. An altered internal clock (circadian rhythm) could lead to respiratory diseases with worsened symptoms depending on the time of day.n

“In the future, our research may improve respiratory diseases by ensuring properly functioning clocks,” she said.n

The findings are published in the journal Function.

Provided by
American Physiological Society

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https://healthmedicinet.com/i/mice-that-lack-a-working-internal-clock-have-rigid-breathing/