[Circadian clock disruption and diabetes mellitus].

Recent studies have demonstrated relationships between the dysfunction of circadian clocks and the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes. In humans, both shift work and the genetic variations of clock genes increase the risk of these disorders. In mice, the light conditions which induce chronic jet lag and modifications of the clock genes cause obesity and/or type 2 diabetes. Moreover, circadian clocks in peripheral tissues are impaired in both patients with type 2 diabetes and genetically obese diabetic mice. Therefore, circadian clocks are important new therapeutic targets for preventing and treating obesity and type 2 diabetes.