Uncovering different masking factors on wrist skin temperature rhythm in free-living subjects

PLoS One. 2013;8(4):e61142. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061142. Epub 2013 Apr 5.

Abstract

Most circadian rhythms are controlled by a major pacemaker located in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus. Some of these rhythms, called marker rhythms, serve to characterize the timing of the internal temporal order. However, these variables are susceptible to masking effects as the result of activity, body position, light exposure, environmental temperature and sleep. Recently, wrist skin temperature (WT) has been proposed as a new index for evaluating circadian system status. In light of previous evidence suggesting the important relationship between WT and core body temperature regulation, the aim of this work was to purify the WT pattern in order to obtain its endogenous rhythm with the application of multiple demasking procedures. To this end, 103 subjects (18-24 years old) were recruited and their WT, activity, body position, light exposure, environmental temperature and sleep were recorded under free-living conditions for 1 week. WT demasking by categories or intercepts was applied to simulate a "constant routine" protocol (awakening, dim light, recumbent position, low activity and warm environmental temperature). Although the overall circadian pattern of WT was similar regardless of the masking effects, its amplitude was the rhythmic parameter most affected by environmental conditions. The acrophase and mesor were determined to be the most robust parameters for characterizing this rhythm. In addition, a circadian modulation of the masking effect was found for each masking variable. WT rhythm exhibits a strong endogenous component, despite the existence of multiple external influences. This was evidenced by simultaneously eliminating the influence of activity, body position, light exposure, environmental temperature and sleep. We therefore propose that it could be considered a valuable and minimally-invasive means of recording circadian physiology in ambulatory conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Artifacts*
  • Circadian Rhythm*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Light
  • Male
  • Models, Biological
  • Posture / physiology
  • Skin Temperature / physiology*
  • Skin Temperature / radiation effects
  • Sleep / physiology
  • Temperature
  • Wrist*
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Economy and Competitivity and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III - RETICEF (The Ageing and Frailty Cooperative Research Network, RD06/0013/0019 and RD12/0043/0011), the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Economy and Competitivity (BFU2010-21945-C02-01, IPT-2011-0833-900000), including FEDER cofunding granted to J. A. Madrid, and the research fellowship awarded to Antonio Martinez-Nicolas (University of Murcia) and to E. Ortiz-Tudela (AP2008–2850). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.