Hey CH Brain,
Great questions... Unfortunately, I haven't a clue if the chemical processes that control our Circadian rhythms have any effect, one way or the other, on 1,25(OH)2D3, the genetically active metabolite of vitamin D, the vitamin D receptor (VDR) or the vitamin D receptor elements (VDRE) located on genetic sequences within neuronal nuclei throughout the brain, hypothalamus or trigeminal ganglia.
I also doubt anyone else has an answer to your question either as the sophisticated tests, if they even exist, would require a quantity of neurons from the hypothalamus and trigeminal ganglia in order to perform the test... The alternative would be to tag the chemicals involved in Circadian rhythms with a radioactive isotope then search the brain with very sensitive detectors to see where they land...
I've got most of the neurons I came with and I'm not willing to part with any of the remaining neurons to find an answer...
What I can say is the process of populating VDR and VDRE with molecules of 1,25(OH)2D3 is explained by the Law of Mass Action as follows:
At its most fundamental level, the law of mass action involves the interaction of a drug or nutrient, in this case, 1,25(OH)2D3, the genetically active metabolite of vitamin D3, with its receptors at the genetic level.
Law of mass Action:
- The combination of drug (also called ligand) and receptor depends on the concentrations of each
- The amount of drug-receptor complex formed determines the magnitude of the response
- A minimum number of drug-receptor complexes must be formed for a response to be initiated (threshold)
- As drug concentration increases, the number of drug-receptor complexes increases and drug effect increases
- A point will be reached at which all receptors are bound to drug, and therefore no further drug-receptor complexes can be formed and the response does not increase any further (saturation)
What this law doesn't explain is that molecules of 1,25(OH)2D3 are only temporary occupants of VDR and VDRE as they are consumed by the cell after a period of time and broken down into component molecules that are either reused by the cell or excreted. This means we need to replace the cellular concentration of 1,25(OH)2D3 on a continuing basis to enable the genetic expression of peptides that keep us CH pain free.
We also know that the body's master clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, or SCN, located in the hypothalamus controls the production of melatonin, the hormone that makes us sleepy. As the hypothalamus has roughly the same density of VDR as the trigeminal ganglia, it's not unreasonable to expect a greater release of melatonin with the intake of vitamin D3 at physiologic doses (3,000 to 5,000 IU/day) and therapeutic doses (≥10,000 IU/day) will result in better, more restful sleep.
What does help control our Circadian rhythms is the presence of light and in some cases sound. If we go into a dark room, with all the lights out, radio, iPhone, TV and stereo off then lie down... our sleep will be more restful... It also helps to drink only water during the two hours prior to bed time and to empty the bladder right before you lie down...
I've some excellent graphics that illustrate these and related processes. Unfortunately, the crony capitalists at PhotoBucket have seen fit to hold all the photos and graphics uploaded to their site hostage for the tidy sum of $400/year to enable 3rd party hosting...
Their unannounced, unilateral action has wreaked havoc with millions of users and hundreds of thousands of websites using PhotoBucket as an image hosting website... including all my posts here at CH.com containing graphics and photos as well.
I'm presently researching alternatives to PhotoBucket.
Reading between the lines, I suspect you have a reason for your question... Care to share it with us?
Take care and please keep us posted.
V/R, Batch