Chronic renal failure does not affect the mouse locomotor activity in darkness conditions

Circadian rhythms regulate blood pressure, hormonal release, and sleeping patterns. Chronic renal failure (CRF) is associated with a loss of nocturnal blood pressure decrease, and dialyzed patients experience sleep disturbances. We induced CRF in mice (thermocauterization-nephrectomy) and compared their rest-activity rhythm with sham-operated animals over a 12‐week period. Mice were housed individually in constant darkness. An infrared motion sensor continuously recorded their behavioral activity. Actograms were generated and subsequent periodogram analysis quantified the free-running period (FRP) and the strength of the circadian rhythm. Chronic renal failure mice compared to sham had high levels of serum urea, anemia, and a slight increase in the rhythm strength. However, the FRP was comparable in both groups. Twelve weeks of CRF do not decrease the strength or alter the period of the endogenous circadian rest-activity rhythm in mice. Our results suggest that uremic toxins do not impair the central circ...