A novel method to prevent obstetric and gynecological diseases based on mouse uterine peristalsis and circadian rhythms.

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18161
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56040:Obstetrics and gynecology-related
• Research Institution: Kanazawa University
• Principal Investigator: Hosono Takashi 金沢大学, 附属病院, 特任助教 (50867893)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 時計遺伝子 / 概日リズム / 子宮

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The circadian rhythm is a daily rhythm, in which the central clock in the hypothalamus and the peripheral clocks in each organ synchronize to maintain basic biological activities. On the other hand, women have a monthly reproductive rhythm called the menstrual cycle, and the uterine contraction rhythm changes in conjunction with it. Uterine contractions are essential for menstruation and delivery, and abnormalities in uterine contractions are thought to be involved in dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, implantation disorders, and premature delivery. In the course of research on the relationship between the circadian rhythm of the mouse uterus and uterine contractions, it became clear that the circadian rhythm of the uterus is regulated by feeding behavior. This suggests that the disordered diet of modern humans may be a cause of various gynecological diseases due to desynchronization of the central and peripheral clocks.

Free Research Field

生殖・周産期医療

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究ではマウス子宮の末梢時計リズムが摂餌行動に制御されていることが分かった。不規則な食事による中枢時計と末梢時計の脱同調は、結果として子宮の異常収縮を引き起こし、様々な婦人科疾患の原因となる可能性が示唆された。この脱同調は食事時間などの生活習慣により改善されるため、本研究の成果は予防医学の分野においても重要であり、引き続き研究解析を継続していく。