Circadian rhythm disruption exacerbates neurodegeneration and alters proteomic profiles in a 6-OHDA induced Parkinson's disease model

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) and associated motor symptoms. Recent studies suggest a strong link between circadian rhythm disruption (CRD) and PD pathogenesis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the impact of CRD on PD progression using a 6-hydroxydopamine induced experimental PD model in mice. CRD was induced using a chronic jet lag protocol and mice were divided into four main groups as Sham, CRD, PD and PD + CRD. Behavioral assessments, immunofluorescence staining, and proteomic analyses were performed to evaluate functional and molecular changes. Non-lesional CRD groups have shown that CRD can cause molecular changes that may sensitise neural tissue to degeneration. CRD significantly worsened motor asymmetry, reduced locomotor activity PD mice. Neuropathological analysis revealed a marked reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH⁺) dopaminergic neurons in the SN and decreased TH fiber density in the striatum, indicating enhanced neurodegeneration. Proteomic analysis identified 427 differentially expressed proteins in the SN and 115 in the striatum, with key alterations in pathways related to mitochondrial function, oxidative phosphorylation, dopaminergic signaling, proteasome-mediated protein degradation, and ferroptosis. Notably, proteins involved in cytoskeletal stability (MARK1, Septin3), neuroinflammation (JAK2, Ifi208), and metabolic regulation (PDE4A, ACSL3) exhibited significant changes in CRD-exposed PD mice. These findings highlight the critical role of circadian dysfunction in accelerating PD progression by exacerbating neuronal loss and dysregulating key molecular pathways. Targeting circadian homeostasis may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for mitigating neurodegeneration in PD.