Circadian Clock in Muscle Disease Etiology and Therapeutic Potential for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

The circadian clock is an evolutionary-conserved, molecular mechanism that generates ∼24-hour daily cycles of biological processes including sleep/awake behavior, body temperature, hormone secretion, energy metabolism, and the cell cycle. It controls several output pathways that exert temporal control in diverse aspects of skeletal muscle physiology, including the maintenance of muscle mass, structure, function, and metabolism. The circadian clock feedback loop components have emerged as significant players in understanding muscle disease etiology and potential therapeutic approaches, particularly in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). This review examines the intricate interplay between circadian rhythms and muscle physiology, highlighting how disruptions of circadian regulation may contribute to muscle pathophysiology and the specific mechanisms linking circadian clock dysregulation with DMD. Moreover, we discuss recent advancements in chronobiological research that have shed light on the circadian control of muscle function and its relevance to DMD. Understanding clock output pathways involved in muscle mass and function offers novel insights into the pathogenesis of DMD and unveils promising avenues for therapeutic interventions. We further explore potential chronotherapeutic strategies targeting the circadian clock to ameliorate muscle degeneration which may inform drug development efforts for muscular dystrophy.