Diurnal rhythms of urine volume and electrolyte excretion in healthy young men under differing intensities of daytime light exposure

Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 23;11(1):13097. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-92595-0.

Abstract

In humans, most renal functions, including urine volume and electrolyte excretions, have a circadian rhythm. Light is a strong circadian entrainment factor and daytime-light exposure is known to affect the circadian rhythm of rectal temperature (RT). The effects of daytime-light exposure on the diurnal rhythm of urinary excretion have yet to be clarified. The aim of this study was to clarify whether and how daytime exposure to bright-light affects urinary excretions. Twenty-one healthy men (21-27 years old) participated in a 4-day study involving daytime (08:00-18:00 h) exposure to two light conditions, Dim (< 50 lx) and Bright (~ 2500 lx), in a random order. During the experiment, RT was measured continuously. Urine samples were collected every 3 ~ 4 h. Compared to the Dim condition, under the Bright condition, the RT nadir time was 45 min earlier (p = 0.017) and sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), and uric acid (UA) excretion and urine volumes were greater (all p < 0.001), from 11:00 h to 13:00 h without a difference in total daily urine volume. The present results suggest that daytime bright light exposure can induce a phase shift advance in urine volume and urinary Na, Cl, and UA excretion rhythms.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chlorides / urine
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology*
  • Circadian Rhythm / radiation effects
  • Electrolytes / urine*
  • Humans
  • Light
  • Male
  • Sodium / urine
  • Time Factors
  • Uric Acid / urine
  • Urination* / physiology
  • Urination* / radiation effects
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Chlorides
  • Electrolytes
  • Uric Acid
  • Sodium