Abstract：Objective To investigate the circadian expression of core clock gene,Clock and Bmal 1,in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of Chinese scientific expeditioners during the Antarctic winter.Methods Peripheral blood(6 mL) were collected in 8 healthy male volunteers(mean age 38 years) from wintering team of the 25th Chinese Antarctic Research Expedition at 6 time points in the day-night cycle(02:00,06:00,10:00,14:00,18:00 and 22:00).In addition,blood samples were collected before and after Antarctic expedition.The expression of Clock and Bmal 1 at different Zeitgeber times(ZT) was detected by RT-PCR.The circadian parameters were obtained and analyzed by the cosine function,Clock Lab software and amplitude F test for comparison before and after Antarctic expedition.Results Before Antarctic expedition,the expression of Clock and Bmal 1 mRNA showed a significant circadian feature(P<0.05).The Peak phase of Clock at-335.85±13.80.The Peak phase of Bmal 1 at-307.12±8.17.After Antarctica,the mRNA transcriptions of 2 expeditioners’ Clock and 3 expeditioners Bmal 1 continuously sustain the significant circadian oscillation among the same 8 Chinese scientific expeditioners.The Peak phase of Clock is at-42.28±5.27,The Peak phase of Bmal 1 is at-184.58±29.58.Conclusion Antarctic environment exerts an impact on human circadian clock gene expression.
2012, Vol. 52 
