Fixing the broken clock in adrenal disorders: focus on glucocorticoids and chronotherapy
The circadian rhythm derives from the integration of many signals that shape the expression of clock-related genes in a 24-hour cycle. Biological tasks, including cell proliferation, differentiation, energy storage and immune regulation, are preferentially confined to specific periods. A gating system, supervised by the central and peripheral clocks, coordinates the endogenous and exogenous signals and prepares for transition to activities confined to periods of light or darkness. The fluctuations of cortisol and its receptor are crucial in modulating these signals.