12-hour phase-shift of mice kidney rhodanese (thiosulfate sulfurtransferase) activity in the first two months of life

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate and compare variation of renal rhodanese activity at 2^nd, 4^th and 8^th weeks of post-natal development (PND) in mice. The enzyme activity increased with age and was higher in females compared to males in all studied groups. Cosinor analysis revealed significant circadian rhythms (with period τ = 24 h) of enzyme activity in both genders with peak time shift during the PND. At the 2^nd week of PND (pre-weaning time), the circadian rhythm peaked at the beginning of light span, more precisely ≅1 HALO (Hours After Light Onset). A week after weaning (4^th week of PND), the peak time was located at the second half of photophase (≅9 HALO) in both genders. Four to six weeks later, about the 8^th week of PND, the circadian peak time was then recorded at ≅13 HALO. These findings suggest that rhodanese level and rhythm stabilization were age-dependent. Moreover, gender-related differences may stimulate discussions on the relationship between renal rhodanese and cyanide sensitivity.

Keywords:

• Acrophase
• age
• circadian rhythm
• kidney
• mice
• ultradian rhythm

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by “Ministère de la Recherche Scientifique, de la Technologie et du Développement des Compétences” and “Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur de la République Tunisienne”. We would like to thank Prof. Néziha Ghanem-Boughanmi for her valuable help and suggestions on reviewing this paper.