Ameliorative Effects of Sweeteners on a Mouse Jet Lag Model

Abstract

Circadian rhythms regulate essential physiological functions, including body temperature and hormone secretion, in a 24-h cycle. These rhythms are synchronized with environmental cues, primarily light, through the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Disruptions, such as jet lag, misalign internal rhythms with external time, leading to fatigue and insomnia. This study explores the potential of dietary sweetening agents as non-pharmacological interventions to facilitate circadian re-entrainment in a mouse jet lag model. Male C57BL/6 mice, maintained on a 12-h light/dark cycle, underwent a 6-h phase advance to simulate jet lag. Mice received drinking water with or without sweeteners (sucrose, sucralose, xylitol, maltitol), and locomotor activity was assessed using wheel-running behavior and intraperitoneally implanted nanotags measuring 3dimensional acceleration and body temperature. Sucrose and sucralose significantly accelerated re-entrainment, with phase-shifting rates of 0.93 and 1.28 h/d, respectively, compared to 0.76 h/d in controls. Both sweeteners also enhanced post-shift activity, whereas xylitol had a minor effect and maltitol showed no significant impact. Sweeteners did not affect rest duration during the jet lag period. These findings indicate that sweet taste can facilitate circadian adaptation, offering a potential dietary approach to mitigate jet lag symptoms. This study provides insights into how taste perception influences circadian regulation, with implications for managing circadian misalignment in frequent travelers and shift workers.