研究課題名：現代時間環境の検証基盤となる概日時計機構解析と時間医学技術開発
研究代表者：山口大学時間学研究所 明石 真
（１）研究の背景
概日時計（約24時間周期の体内時計）は、睡眠、血圧、体温、代謝など様々な身体機能において約24時間周期のリズムをつくっています。身体リズムと日常生活リズムが同調することは健康維持に不可欠ですが、現代社会では両者の慢性的なずれが睡眠障害、精神疾患、循環器疾患、糖尿病などの深刻な健康被害の原因になっています。
（２）研究の目標
概日時計分子機構における重大な未解決点を明らかにすると同時に、日本人の最大死因のひとつである動脈硬化との関連を詳細に解析します。また、体毛を利用した概日時計測定法を発展させて、医療現場で利用可能なレベルに改良します。さらに、概日時計の調節に役立つ物質の探索を行います。
（３）研究の特色
概日時計と疾患との関連は、昼夜交代労働者の疫学的データの蓄積と、近年の概日時計破壊動物の研究から明確になってきました。健康国家の実現のために概日時計を標的とした疾患予防および治療が望まれますが、現状ではほとんどこの概念は導入されておらず、本研究はその先導的役割を担うことを目標としています。
（４）将来的に期待される効果や応用分野
概日時計健全化による健康社会の実現に寄与します。我々の概日時計診断法は、睡眠障害や精神疾患を主とした疾患の治療や予防、夜勤労働環境の改善調査、さらに体内時刻に基づいた投薬や治療に利用できます。また、機能性食品として概日時計の調節を援助できるかもしれません。これは時差ぼけ改善にも利用可能です。
Funding Program for Next Generation
World-Leading Researchers
Project title: Molecular analysis of the circadian clock and technical development of chronomedical methodology for improvement of temporal environment in round-the-clock society
Researcher: Makoto AKASHI, the Research Institute for Time Studies, Yamaguchi University
（１）Background of the Research
The circadian clock (an internal clock) runs on a roughly 24-hour cycle and creates rhythms for various bodily functions such as sleep, blood pressure, body temperature and metabolism. To maintain good health, it is essential to synchronize lifestyle rhythms with biological rhythms. In modern society, however, a chronic mismatch between these rhythms is often observed, causing serious health issues including sleep disorders, mental health disorders, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
（２）Research Goal
Our aim is to determine unsolved molecular mechanisms of the circadian clock and study, at molecular levels, the relationship between the clock and arteriosclerosis, one of the leading causes of death for Japanese people. Additionally, we will develop a method which utilizes body hair to take measurements of circadian rhythms and refine it for application in clinical settings. We will also search for substances that help adjust the circadian clock.
（３）Characteristics of the Research
Epidemiological data compiled from rotating shift workers and recent studies on clock-deficient animals have proved that there is a relationship between the circadian clock and associated diseases. While the concept of treating or preventing diseases by targeting the circadian clock is not generally accepted, it is still essential in the creation of a healthier society. It is our goal, therefore, that this study will play a pioneering role in promoting that perspective.
（４）Expected Outcome and Future Applications
Our goal is to contribute to the creation of a healthy society by restoring circadian rhythms. The circadian clock diagnostic technique we have developed can be used in the treatment/prevention of diseases such as sleep and mental health disorders, improvement of working conditions for night shift workers and administration of medicines and therapies based on biological rhythms. Furthermore, application of functional foods containing substances that may help adjust the circadian clock can be used to recover from jet lag.
