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Collagen production depends on biorhythms
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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The processes of collagen production and the unification of collagen fibers in the body are not constant and differ depending on the time of day.
A person's lack of sleep shows itself immediately: he looks tired, has dark circles under his eyes, is clumsy, irritable and inconsistent. In addition, when there is a lack of sleep, appearance suffers greatly, and one of the reasons is a disruption in collagen production.
Almost everyone knows about collagen fibers and their purpose. Both dermatologists and cosmetologists point out the direct dependence of youth and health of the skin on the quantity and quality of collagen. In addition to the skin, collagen also supports the intercellular matrix - a specific substance surrounding the cells, providing their spatial organization and stable localization.
The main property of the intercellular matrix is tissue structuring and the implementation of intercellular exchange of molecular impulses. In addition to the matrix, there are also connective tissue fibers that play the role of supporting tissue and protection. The functionality of the intercellular matrix and connective tissue largely depends on the presence of collagen molecules.
The molecules are combined like thread strands, forming a kind of rope. Long collagen structures are formed, differing from each other in thickness. The thickest fibrils (approximately 200 nm in diameter) are formed in young people up to 17 years of age, and are present until the end of life. Thinner structures (approximately 50 nm in diameter) are unstable, as they can periodically appear and disappear. Such fibrils are damaged as a result of strong loads, overstretching or compression, after which they are replaced by new synthesized fibers. [ 1 ]
Experts from the University of Manchester have noted that fine structures are not constantly renewed, but rather depending on the daily rhythm.
At night, cells produce the "basis" for collagen - procollagen protein. During the day, it penetrates into the intercellular space, where it combines into thin fibers. The processing of damaged fibrils is also associated with biorhythms.
When the mechanism controlling the daily cycle was switched off, the molecular sequence of collagen production processes and utilization of "used" fibers was disrupted. Since thin structures coexist with "lifelong" thick fibrils, when biorhythms failed, some fibers turned out to be defective. Therefore, daily activity also affects the maintenance of the collagen system in an adequate state.
Taking into account the above, scientists believe that unpleasant changes in appearance against the background of regular lack of sleep may be a consequence of collagen failures. Poor and insufficient sleep leads to a change in biorhythms, which invariably affects the mechanism of fiber formation and their condition.
Since the experiments have only been conducted on rodents, it is too early to draw final conclusions. Full-fledged studies reflecting the cyclical state of the human body are needed. [ 2 ]
Information provided by Nature Cell Biology.