Circadian PER1 controls daily fat absorption with the regulation of PER1-PKA on phosphorylation of bile acid synthetase

Maternal α-casein deficiency extends the lifespan of offspring and programmes their body composition

Early nutrition has significant effects on physiological outcomes during adult life. We have analysed the effect of maternal α-casein (CSN1S1) deficiency on the physiological fate of dams and their offspring. α-casein deficiency reduces maternal milk protein concentration by more than 50% and attenuates the growth of pups to 27% (p < 0.001) of controls at the point of weaning. This is associated with a permanent reduction in adult body weight (- 31% at 25 weeks). Offspring nursed by α-casein deficient dams showed a significantly increased lifespan (+ 20%, χ2: 10.6; p = 0.001). Liver transcriptome analysis of offspring nursed by α-casein deficient dams at weaning revealed gene expression patterns similar to those found in dwarf mice (reduced expression of somatotropic axis signalling genes, increased expression of xenobiotic metabolism genes). In adult mice, the expression of somatotropic axis genes returned to control levels. This demonstrates that, in contrast to dwarf mice, attenuation of the GH-IGF signalling axis in offspring nursed by α-casein deficient dams is transient, while the changes in body size and lifespan are permanent. Offspring nursed by α-casein deficient dams showed permanent changes in body composition. Absolute and relative adipose tissue weights (p < 0.05), the percentage of body fat (p < 0.001) as well as adipocyte size in epididymal white adipose tissue are all reduced. Serum leptin levels were 25% of those found in control mice (p < 0.001). Liver lipid content and lipid composition were significantly altered in response to postnatal nutrition. This demonstrates the nutrition in early life programmes adult lipid metabolism, body composition and lifespan.

Valine induces inflammation and enhanced adipogenesis in lean mice by multi-omics analysis

Introduction

The branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are essential to mammalian growth and development but aberrantly elevated in obesity and diabetes. Each BCAA has an independent and specific physio-biochemical effect on the host. However, the exact molecular mechanism of the detrimental effect of valine on metabolic health remains largely unknown.

Methods and results

This study showed that for lean mice treated with valine, the hepatic lipid metabolism and adipogenesis were enhanced, and the villus height and crypt depth of the ileum were significantly increased. Transcriptome profiling on white and brown adipose tissues revealed that valine disturbed multiple signaling pathways (e.g., inflammation and fatty acid metabolism). Integrative cecal metagenome and metabolome analyses found that abundances of Bacteroidetes decreased, but Proteobacteria and Helicobacter increased, respectively; and 87 differential metabolites were enriched in several molecular pathways (e.g., inflammation and lipid and bile acid metabolism). Furthermore, abundances of two metabolites (stercobilin and 3-IAA), proteins (AMPK/pAMPK and SCD1), and inflammation and adipogenesis-related genes were validated.

Discussion

Valine treatment affects the intestinal microbiota and metabolite compositions, induces gut inflammation, and aggravates hepatic lipid deposition and adipogenesis. Our findings provide novel insights into and resources for further exploring the molecular mechanism and biological function of valine on lipid metabolism.

Sleep and circadian rhythm disturbance in kidney stone disease: a narrative review

The circadian rhythm generated by circadian clock genes functions as an internal timing system. Since the circadian rhythm controls abundant physiological processes, the circadian rhythm evolved in organisms is salient for adaptation to environmental change. A disturbed circadian rhythm is a trigger for numerous pathological events. Recently, accumulated data have indicated that kidney stone disease (KSD) is related to circadian rhythm disturbance. However, the mechanism between them has not been fully elucidated. In this narrative review, we summarized existing evidence to illustrate the possible association between circadian rhythm disturbance and KSD based on the epidemiological studies and risk factors that are linked to circadian rhythm disturbance and discuss some chronotherapies for KSD. In summary, KSD is associated with systemic disorders. Metabolic syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and microbiome dysbiosis are the major risk factors supported by sufficient data to cause KSD in patients with circadian rhythm disturbance, while others including hypertension, vitamin D deficiency, parathyroid gland dysfunction, and renal tubular damage/dysfunction need further investigation. Then, some chronotherapies for KSD were confirmed to be effective, but the molecular mechanism is still unclear.