Cited by 589Circadian rhythm and melatoninStress Responses and CortisolAdrenal Hormones and Disorders

Light activates the adrenal gland: Timing of gene expression and glucocorticoid release

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Ishida, Atsushi, Mutoh, Tatsushi, Ueyama, Tomoko, Bando, Hideki, Masubuchi, Satoru, Nakahara, Daiichiro, Tsujimoto, Gozoh, Okamura, Hitoshi·2005·Cell Metabolism

Abstract

Light is a powerful synchronizer of the circadian rhythms, and bright light therapy is known to improve metabolic and hormonal status of circadian rhythm sleep disorders, although its mechanism is poorly understood. In the present study, we revealed that light induces gene expression in the adrenal gland via the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)-sympathetic nervous system. Moreover, this gene expression accompanies the surge of plasma and brain corticosterone levels without accompanying activation of the hypothalamo-adenohypophysial axis. The abolishment after SCN lesioning, and the day-night difference of light-induced adrenal gene expression and corticosterone release, clearly indicate that this phenomenon is closely linked to the circadian clock. The magnitude of corticostereone response is dose dependently correlated with the light intensity. The light-induced clock-dependent secretion of glucocorticoids adjusts cellular metabolisms to the new light-on environment.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.cmet.2005.09.009

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  • There is a neural SCN-adrenal gland connection via the autonomic nervous system, independent from HPA axis activation, that can transmit light information to the adrenal glands and modulate corticosterone release without changes in ACTH secretion.

    “significant evidence now points to a neural SCN-adrenal gland connection, via the autonomic nervous system and independent from the HPA axis activation [19, 20]: this multisynaptic pathway from the SCN to the adrenal gland is able to transmit light information to the adrenal glands, modulating corticosterone release without changes in ACTH secretion [21].”

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Authors
Ishida, A., Mutoh, T., Ueyama, T., Bando, H., Masubuchi, S., Nakahara, D., Tsujimoto, G., & Okamura, H.
Affiliations
  • Kobe University (JP)
  • Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine (JP)
  • Hamamatsu University School of Medicine (JP)
  • Kyoto University (JP)
Corresponding author
Okamura, Hitoshi
Venue
Cell Metabolism
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2005-11
Volume
2
Issue
5
Pages
297-307
ISSN
1550-4131 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2019394392
Cited by
589
References
51
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 33 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 36 · 2020: 31 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 32 · 2017: 30 · 2016: 37 · 2015: 26 · 2014: 34 · 2013: 42 · 2012: 29
FWCI
7.33
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cell Metabolism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
  • Smoking Research Foundation
  • Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Adrenal Hormones and Disorders
Keywords
light, adrenal gland, circadian rhythm, suprachiasmatic nucleus, sympathetic nervous system, corticosterone, glucocorticoid secretion, circadian clock, light intensity, circadian rhythm sleep disorders, bright light therapy
MeSH terms
Adrenal Cortex Hormones, Adrenal Glands, Animals, Circadian Rhythm, Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation, Glucocorticoids, Light, Male, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Transgenic, Nuclear Proteins, RNA, Messenger, Suprachiasmatic Nucleus, Sympathetic Nervous System, Transcription Factors, Genes, Reporter, Cell Cycle Proteins, Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1, MAP Kinase Signaling System, Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3, Mice, Period Circadian Proteins

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