Impact of clock gene Bmal1 deficiency on nutritionally induced obesity in mice

The effect of low birth weight as an intrauterine exposure on the early onset of sarcopenia through possible molecular pathways

Sarcopenia, a musculoskeletal disease characterized by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and physical performance, presents significant challenges to global public health due to its adverse effects on mobility, morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. This comprehensive review explores the intricate connections between sarcopenia and low birth weight (LBW), emphasizing the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) hypothesis, inflammatory processes (inflammaging), mitochondrial dysfunction, circadian rhythm disruptions, epigenetic mechanisms, and genetic variations revealed through genome-wide studies (GWAS). A systematic search strategy was developed using PubMed to identify relevant English-language publications on sarcopenia, LBW, DOHaD, inflammaging, mitochondrial dysfunction, circadian disruption, epigenetic mechanisms, and GWAS. The publications consist of 46.2% reviews, 21.2% cohort studies, 4.8% systematic reviews, 1.9% cross-sectional studies, 13.4% animal studies, 4.8% genome-wide studies, 5.8% epigenome-wide studies, and 1.9% book chapters. The review identified key factors contributing to sarcopenia development, including the DOHaD hypothesis, LBW impact on muscle mass, inflammaging, mitochondrial dysfunction, the influence of clock genes, the role of epigenetic mechanisms, and genetic variations revealed through GWAS. The DOHaD theory suggests that LBW induces epigenetic alterations during foetal development, impacting long-term health outcomes, including the early onset of sarcopenia. LBW correlates with reduced muscle mass, grip strength, and lean body mass in adulthood, increasing the risk of sarcopenia. Chronic inflammation (inflammaging) and mitochondrial dysfunction contribute to sarcopenia, with LBW linked to increased oxidative stress and dysfunction. Disrupted circadian rhythms, regulated by genes such as BMAL1 and CLOCK, are associated with both LBW and sarcopenia, impacting lipid metabolism, muscle mass, and the ageing process. Early-life exposures, including LBW, induce epigenetic modifications like DNA methylation (DNAm) and histone changes, playing a pivotal role in sarcopenia development. Genome-wide studies have identified candidate genes and variants associated with lean body mass, muscle weakness, and sarcopenia, providing insights into genetic factors contributing to the disorder. LBW emerges as a potential early predictor of sarcopenia development, reflecting the impact of intrauterine exposures on long-term health outcomes. Understanding the complex interplay between LBW with inflammaging, mitochondrial dysfunction, circadian disruption, and epigenetic factors is essential for elucidating the pathogenesis of sarcopenia and developing targeted interventions. Future research on GWAS and the underlying mechanisms of LBW-associated sarcopenia is warranted to inform preventive strategies and improve public health outcomes.

Dietary Oat β-Glucan Alleviates High-Fat Induced Insulin Resistance through Regulating Circadian Clock and Gut Microbiome

SCOPE

High-fat diet induced circadian rhythm disorders (CRD) are associated with metabolic diseases. As the main functional bioactive component in oat, β-glucan (GLU) can improve metabolic disorders, however its regulatory effect on CRD remains unclear. In this research, the effects of GLU on high-fat diet induced insulin resistance and its mechanisms are investigated, especially focusing on circadian rhythm-related process.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Male C57BL/6 mice are fed a low fat diet, a high-fat diet (HFD), and HFD supplemented 3% GLU for 13 weeks. The results show that GLU treatment alleviates HFD-induced insulin resistance and intestinal barrier dysfunction in obese mice. The rhythmic expressions of circadian clock genes (Bmal1, Clock, and Cry1) in the colon impaired by HFD diet are also restored by GLU. Further analysis shows that GLU treatment restores the oscillatory nature of gut microbiome, which can enhance glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) secretion via short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) mediated activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Meanwhile, GLU consumption significantly relieves colonic inflammation and insulin resistance through modulating HDAC3/NF-κB signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

GLU can ameliorate insulin resistance due to its regulation of colonic circadian clock and gut microbiome.

Time-restricted eating for chronodisruption-related chronic diseases

The circadian timing system enables organisms to adapt their physiology and behavior to the cyclic environmental changes including light-dark cycle or food availability. Misalignment between the endogenous circadian rhythms and external cues is known as chronodisruption and is closely associated with the development of metabolic and gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Time-restricted eating (TRE, in human) is an emerging dietary approach for weight management. Recent studies have shown that TRE or time-restricted feeding (TRF, when referring to animals) has several beneficial health effects, which, however, are not limited to weight management. This review summarizes the effects of TRE/TRF on regulating energy metabolism, gut microbiota and homeostasis, development of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Furthermore, we will address the role of circadian clocks in TRE/TRF and propose ways to optimize TRE as a dietary strategy to obtain maximal health benefits.

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi regulates REV-ERBα/BMAL1 to protect against skin aging in mice

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SBG) is a traditional Chinese medicine widely used to treat disorders such as hypertension, dysentery and hemorrhaging. Here, we aimed to assess the pharmacological effects of SBG on skin aging and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Mice with skin aging were established by treatment with D-galactose and ultraviolet-B. SBG (topical application) showed a protective effect on skin aging in mice, as evidenced by less formation of skin wrinkles, higher levels of SOD (superoxide dismutase) and HYP (hydroxyproline) as well as a lower level of MDA (malondialdehyde). In the meantime, skin MMP-1 and p53 expression were lower, epidermis was thinner and collagen amount was higher in SBG-treated mice. Anti-skin aging effects of SBG were also confirmed in NIH3T3 and HaCaT cells, as well as in mouse primary dermal fibroblasts and human primary epidermal keratinocytes. Furthermore, we found that loss of Rev-erbα (a known repressor of Bmal1) up-regulated skin BMAL1 (a clock component and a known anti-aging factor) and ameliorated skin aging in mice. Moreover, SBG dose-dependently increased the expression of BMAL1 in the skin of aged mice and in senescent NIT3H3 cells. In addition, based on a combination of Gal4 chimeric, luciferase reporter and expression assays, SBG was identified as an antagonist of REV-ERBα and thus an inducer of BMAL1 expression. In conclusion, SBG antagonizes REV-ERBα to up-regulate BMAL1 and to protect against skin aging in mice.

Disruption of the circadian clock component BMAL1 elicits an endocrine adaption impacting on insulin sensitivity and liver disease

SignificanceWhile increasing evidence associates the disruption of circadian rhythms with pathologic conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD), the involved mechanisms are still poorly described. Here, we show that, in both humans and mice, the pathogenesis of NAFLD is associated with the disruption of the circadian clock combined with perturbations of the growth hormone and sex hormone pathways. However, while this condition protects mice from the development of fibrosis and insulin resistance, it correlates with increased fibrosis in humans. This suggests that the perturbation of the circadian clock and its associated disruption of the growth hormone and sex hormone pathways are critical for the pathogenesis of metabolic and liver diseases.

Cannibalism rate and mLeptin expression are influenced by photoperiod and diets in Piracanjuba, Brycon orbignyanus (Valenciennes, 1850) larvae

Piracanjuba (Brycon orbignyanus) is a species with great productive potential, and during its larval phase, it presents intense cannibal activity. The photoperiod and diet are primary feed behaviour and cannibalism modulators to fishes. This experiment aimed to verify the effect of different photoperiods and diets in Piracanjuba larviculture. Larvae were kept under different photoperiods - 12 h light: 12 h dark (12 L: 12D); 24 h light:00 h dark (24hL: 00D) - Larvae were fed with Artemia nauplii and a formulated micro-diet in a factorial scheme for 10 days, and at the end of the experimental period, the influences of the treatments on performance and quantitative expression of mLeptin and mBmall1 were evaluated. In order to quantify the expression of mLeptin and mBmall1, qPCR adopting β-actin and Elongation Factor 1 as endogenous genes was used. The primers for all the analysed transcripts were obtained through multiple sequences alignments of different fish species. It was observed that the diet and photoperiod influence the performance of Piracanjuba (B. orbignyanus) larvae in the initial phase of larviculture. Feeding with artemia nauplii and the photoperiod of 24 L:00D reduce cannibalism rates in intensive Piracanjuba larviculture. The results on the rate of cannibalism, rate of survival and the relative expression of mLeptin are related to the survival rate of the larvae, and it is inversely proportional to the cannibalism rate. The expression levels of mBmall1 showed a correlation with the final weight of the larvae. Piracanjuba Larvae under a photoperiod of 24 light and fed Artemia nauplii showed more significant levels of mLeptin expression.

Chronodisruption by chronic jetlag impacts metabolic and gastrointestinal homeostasis in male mice

AIM

Chronodisruption desynchronizes peripheral clocks and leads to metabolic diseases. Feeding cues are important synchronizers of peripheral clocks and influence rhythmic oscillations in intestinal microbiota and their metabolites. We investigated whether chronic jetlag, mimicking frequent time zone travelling, affected the diurnal fluctuations in faecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels, that feed back to the gut clock to regulate rhythmicity in gut function.

METHODS

Rhythms in faecal SCFAs levels and in the expression of clock genes and epithelial markers were measured in the colonic mucosa of control and jetlagged mice. The entraining effect of SCFAs on the rhythm in clock gene mRNA expression was studied in primary colonic crypts. The role of the circadian clock in epithelial marker expression was studied in Arntl^-/- mice.

RESULTS

Chronic jetlag increased body weight gain and abolished the day/night food intake pattern which resulted in a phase-delay in the rhythm of faecal SCFAs that paralleled the shift in the expression of mucosal clock genes. This effect was mimicked by stimulation of primary colonic crypts from control mice with SCFAs. Jetlag abolished the rhythm in Tnfα, proglucagon and ghrelin expression but not in the expression of tight junction markers. Only a dampening in plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 but not in ghrelin levels was observed. Rhythms in ghrelin but not proglucagon mRNA expression were abolished in Arntl^-/- mice.

CONCLUSION

The altered food intake pattern during chronodisruption corresponds with the changes in rhythmicity of SCFA levels that entrain clock genes to affect rhythms in mRNA expression of gut epithelial markers.

Sleep Disturbance Induces Increased Cholesterol Level by NR1D1 Mediated CYP7A1 Inhibition

Disturbed sleep is closely associated with an increased risk of metabolic diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms of circadian clock genes linking sleep and lipid profile abnormalities have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to explore the important role of the circadian clock in regulating impaired cholesterol metabolism at an early stage of sleep deprivation (SD). Sleep disturbance was conducted using an SD instrument. Our results showed that SD increased the serum cholesterol levels. Concentrations of serum leptin and resistin were much lower after SD, but other metabolic hormone concentrations (adiponectin, glucagon, insulin, thyroxine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine) were unchanged before and after SD. Warning signs of cardiovascular diseases [decreased high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and increased corticosterone and 8-hydroxyguanosine levels] and hepatic cholestasis (elevated total bile acids and bilirubin levels) were observed after SD. Cholesterol accumulation was also observed in the liver after SD. The expression levels of HMGCR, the critical enzyme for cholesterol synthesis, remained unchanged in the liver. However, the expression levels of liver CYP7A1, the enzyme responsible for the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids, significantly reduced after SD. Furthermore, expression of NR1D1, a circadian oscillator and transcriptional regulator of CYP7A1, strikingly decreased after SD. Moreover, NR1D1 deficiency decreased liver CYP7A1 levels, and SD could exacerbate the reduction of CYP7A1 expression in NR1D1^-/- mouse livers. Additionally, NR1D1 deficiency could further increase serum cholesterol levels under SD. These results suggest that sleep disturbance can induce increased serum cholesterol levels and liver cholesterol accumulation by NR1D1 mediated CYP7A1 inhibition.

Does a high-fat diet affect the circadian clock, or is it the other way around? A systematic review

This paper reviews studies that addressed the influence of diet on circadian rhythmicity in mice and, in turn, circadian clock chronodisruption and its role in the development of metabolic disorders. Studies from the past 14 years were selected via a systematic search conducted using the PubMed electronic database. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 291 studies were selected, of which 13 were chosen using the following inclusion criteria: use of a high-fat diet for mice, evaluation of clock gene expression, and the association between chronodisruption and lipid metabolism disorders. These studies reported changes in animals' biological clock when they developed metabolic disorders by consuming a high-fat diet. It was also evident that some clock gene mutations or deletions triggered metabolic changes. Disturbances of clock gene machinery may play important roles in lipid metabolism and the development of atherosclerotic processes. However, many metabolic processes also affect the function of clock genes and circadian systems. In summary, this review's results may provide new insights into the reciprocal regulation of energy homeostasis and the biological clock.

In Lyl1-/- mice, adipose stem cell vascular niche impairment leads to premature development of fat tissues

Lyl1 encodes a hematopoietic‐ and endothelial‐specific bHLH transcription factor. Lyl1‐deficient mice are viable, but they display mild hematopoietic and vascular defects. Specifically, LYL1 is required for the maturation and stabilization of blood vessel endothelial adherens junctions. Here, we report that young adult Lyl1^−/− mice exhibit transient overweight associated with general expansion of adipose tissue, without signs of metabolic disorder and unrelated to food intake. The increased fat tissue development in Lyl1^−/− mice resulted from earlier differentiation of adipose stem cells (ASCs) into adipocytes through noncell autonomous mechanisms. Specifically, we found that in Lyl1^−/− mice, the adipose tissue vascular structures are immature, as indicated by their high permeability, reduced coverage by pericytes, lower recruitment of VE‐cadherin and ZO1 at cell junctions, and more prone to angiogenesis. Together, our data show that in Lyl1^−/− mice, the impaired vascular compartment of the adipose niche promotes ASC differentiation, leading to early adipocyte expansion and premature ASC depletion. Our study highlights the major structural role of the adipose tissue vascular niche in coordinating stem cell self‐renewal and differentiation into adipocytes.

The circadian clock regulates the diurnal levels of microbial short-chain fatty acids and their rhythmic effects on colon contractility in mice

AIM

The microbiota shows diurnal oscillations that are synchronized by the host's circadian clock and feeding rhythms. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by the microbiota are possible synchronizers of peripheral circadian clocks. We aimed to investigate whether faecal SCFAs show a diurnal rhythm that regulates the rhythm of SCFA receptor expression (FFAR2/3, OLFR78, HCAR2) and SCFA-induced colonic contractility. The role of the circadian clock was studied in mice lacking the core clock gene Bmal1.

METHODS

Mice were sacrificed at 4-hour intervals. Faecal SCFA concentrations and SCFA receptor expression were determined. The effect of increasing concentrations of a SCFA mix on electrical field-induced neural responses in colon strips was measured isometrically.

RESULTS

Diurnal fluctuations in faecal SCFA concentrations (peak 4 hours after lights on) were observed that were in phase with the rhythm of Ffar2/3 expression in the colonic muscle layer. Olfr78 expression was not diurnal and Hcar2 was not detectable. The inhibitory effect of a SCFA mix on neural contractions in colonic smooth muscle strips showed a diurnal rhythm and oscillated in phase with faecal SCFA concentrations and Ffar2/3 expression. In contrast, neither excitatory neural responses nor acetylcholine-induced smooth muscle contractions showed a diurnal rhythm. In Bmal1^-/- mice, no fluctuations in faecal SCFA levels, Ffar3 expression and neural responses to SCFAs were observed.

CONCLUSION

Diurnal microbial SCFA levels regulate the rhythm of Ffar3 expression in the colonic myenteric plexus, which causes rhythmicity in SCFA-induced colonic motility. Deletion of Bmal1 abolishes rhythmicity of SCFA levels and their downstream effects.

Role of cardiotrophin-1 in the regulation of metabolic circadian rhythms and adipose core clock genes in mice and characterization of 24-h circulating CT-1 profiles in normal-weight and overweight/obese subjects

Cardiotrophin (CT)-1 is a regulator of glucose and lipid homeostasis. In the present study, we analyzed whether CT-1 also acts to peripherally regulate metabolic rhythms and adipose tissue core clock genes in mice. Moreover, the circadian pattern of plasma CT-1 levels was evaluated in normal-weight and overweight subjects. The circadian rhythmicity of oxygen consumption rate (Vo₂) was disrupted in aged obese CT-1-deficient (CT-1^-/-) mice (12 mo). Although circadian rhythms of Vo₂ were conserved in young lean CT-1^-/- mice (2 mo), CT-1 deficiency caused a phase shift of the acrophase. Most of the clock genes studied (Clock, Bmal1, and Per2) displayed a circadian rhythm in adipose tissue of both wild-type (WT) and CT-1^-/- mice. However, the pattern was altered in CT-1^-/- mice toward a lower percentage of the rhythm or lower amplitude, especially for Bmal1 and Clock. Moreover, CT-1 mRNA levels in adipose tissue showed significant circadian fluctuations in young WT mice. In humans, CT-1 plasma profile exhibited a 24-h circadian rhythm in normal-weight but not in overweight subjects. The 24-h pattern of CT-1 was characterized by a pronounced increase during the night (from 02:00 to 08:00). These observations suggest a potential role for CT-1 in the regulation of metabolic circadian rhythms.-López-Yoldi, M., Stanhope, K. L., Garaulet, M., Chen, X. G., Marcos-Gómez, B., Carrasco-Benso, M. P., Santa Maria, E. M., Escoté, X., Lee, V., Nunez, M. V., Medici, V., Martínez-Ansó, E., Sáinz, N., Huerta, A. E., Laiglesia, L. M., Prieto, J., Martínez, J. A., Bustos, M., Havel, P. J., Moreno-Aliaga, M. J. Role of cardiotrophin-1 in the regulation of metabolic circadian rhythms and adipose core clock genes in mice and characterization of 24-h circulating CT-1 profiles in normal-weight and overweight/obese subjects.

Chronobesity: role of the circadian system in the obesity epidemic

Although obesity is considered to result from an imbalance between energy uptake and energy expenditure, the strategy of dietary changes and physical exercise has failed to tackle the global obesity epidemic. In search of alternative and more adequate treatment options, research has aimed at further unravelling the mechanisms underlying this excessive weight gain. While numerous studies are focusing on the neuroendocrine alterations that occur after bariatric Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, an increasing amount of chronobiological studies have started to raise awareness concerning the pivotal role of the circadian system in the development and exacerbation of obesity. This internal timekeeping mechanism rhythmically regulates metabolic and physiological processes in order to meet the fluctuating demands in energy use and supply throughout the 24-h day. This review elaborates on the extensive bidirectional interaction between the circadian system and metabolism and explains how disruption of body clocks by means of shift work, frequent time zone travelling or non-stop consumption of calorie-dense foods can evoke detrimental metabolic alterations that contribute to obesity. Altering the body's circadian rhythms by means of time-related dietary approaches (chrononutrition) or pharmacological substances (chronobiotics) may therefore represent a novel and interesting way to prevent or treat obesity and associated comorbidities.

Role of the clock gene Bmal1 and the gastric ghrelin-secreting cell in the circadian regulation of the ghrelin-GOAT system

As adequate food intake is crucial to survival, organisms have evolved endogenous circadian clocks to generate optimal temporal patterns of food-related behavior and physiology. The gastric ghrelin-secreting cell is thought to be part of this network of peripheral food-entrainable oscillators (FEOs), regulating the circadian release of this orexigenic peptide. This study aimed to determine the role of the core clock gene Bmal1 and the gastric ghrelin-secreting cell as an FEO in the circadian rhythmicity of ghrelin expression and secretion in vivo and in vitro. Bmal1-deficient mice not only lacked circadian rhythmicity in plasma ghrelin levels and food intake, but also showed decreased gastric mRNA expression of ghrelin and ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT), the ghrelin activating enzyme. Furthermore, in the absence of the hypothalamic master clock, food-related stimuli entrained the molecular clock of gastric ghrelinoma cells to regulate the rhythmic release of ghrelin. Divergent responses in octanoyl and total ghrelin release towards different food cues were observed, suggesting that the FEO also regulates the circadian rhythmicity of GOAT. Collectively, these findings indicate that circadian rhythmicity of ghrelin signaling requires Bmal1 and is driven by a food-responsive clock in the gastric ghrelin-secreting cell that not only regulates ghrelin, but also GOAT activity.

Matured Hop Bittering Components Induce Thermogenesis in Brown Adipose Tissue via Sympathetic Nerve Activity

Obesity is the principal symptom of metabolic syndrome, which refers to a group of risk factors that increase the likelihood of atherosclerosis. In recent decades there has been a sharp rise in the incidence of obesity throughout the developed world. Iso-α-acids, the bitter compounds derived from hops in beer, have been shown to prevent diet-induced obesity by increasing lipid oxidation in the liver and inhibition of lipid absorption from the intestine. Whereas the sharp bitterness induced by effective dose of iso-α-acids precludes their acceptance as a nutrient, matured hop bittering components (MHB) appear to be more agreeable. Therefore, we tested MHB for an effect on ameliorating diet-induced body fat accumulation in rodents. MHB ingestion had a beneficial effect but, compared to iso-α-acids and despite containing structurally similar compounds, acted via different mechanisms to reduce body fat accumulation. MHB supplementation significantly reduced body weight gain, epididymal white adipose tissue weight, and plasma non-esterified free fatty acid levels in diet-induced obese mice. We also found that uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression in brown adipose tissue (BAT) was significantly increased in MHB-fed mice at both the mRNA and protein levels. In addition, MHB administration in rats induced the β-adrenergic signaling cascade, which is related to cAMP accumulation in BAT, suggesting that MHB could modulate sympathetic nerve activity innervating BAT (BAT-SNA). Indeed, single oral administration of MHB elevated BAT-SNA in rats, and this elevation was dissipated by subdiaphragmatic vagotomy. Single oral administration of MHB maintained BAT temperature at a significantly higher level than in control rats. Taken together, these findings indicate that MHB ameliorates diet-induced body fat accumulation, at least partly, by enhancing thermogenesis in BAT via BAT-SNA activation. Our data suggests that MHB is a useful tool for developing functional foods or beverages to counteract the accumulation of body fat.

Influence of sex on genetic regulation of "drinking in the dark" alcohol consumption

The ILSXISS (LXS) recombinant inbred (RI) panel of mice is a valuable resource for genetic mapping studies of complex traits, due to its genetic diversity and large number of strains. Male and female mice from this panel were used to investigate genetic influences on alcohol consumption in the "drinking in the dark" (DID) model. Male mice (38 strains) and female mice (36 strains) were given access to 20% ethanol during the early phase of their circadian dark cycle for four consecutive days. The first principal component of alcohol consumption measures on days 2, 3, and 4 was used as a phenotype (DID phenotype) to calculate QTLs, using a SNP marker set for the LXS RI panel. Five QTLs were identified, three of which included a significant genotype by sex interaction, i.e., a significant genotype effect in males and not females. To investigate candidate genes associated with the DID phenotype, data from brain microarray analysis (Affymetrix Mouse Exon 1.0 ST Arrays) of male LXS RI strains were combined with RNA-Seq data (mouse brain transcriptome reconstruction) from the parental ILS and ISS strains in order to identify expressed mouse brain transcripts. Candidate genes were determined based on common eQTL and DID phenotype QTL regions and correlation of transcript expression levels with the DID phenotype. The resulting candidate genes (in particular, Arntl/Bmal1) focused attention on the influence of circadian regulation on the variation in the DID phenotype in this population of mice.

The polymorphism of ARNTL2 (BMAL2) gene rs2306074 C>T is associated with susceptibility of Alzheimer disease in Chinese population

In the present study, we investigated whether polymorphism of ARNTL2 (BMAL2) gene rs2306074 T/C was associated with susceptibility of Alzheimer disease (AD) in Chinese population. A case-control method was employed in this study. 296 unrelated AD patients and 423 control subjects were recruited in current study. The prevalence of C carriers in BMAL2 gene rs2306074 T/C in AD patients was significantly higher than that of control subjects in both the whole sample and APOE ε 4 non-carriers (in the whole sample: χ (2) = 5.938, P = 0.012; in APOE ε 4 non-carriers: χ (2) = 9.048, P < 0.0001). In addition, both in the whole sample and APOE ε 4 non-carriers, prevalence of CC genotypes in BMAL2 gene rs2306074 of AD patients was also significantly higher than that in controls (in the whole sample: χ (2) = 5.126, P = 0.018; in APOE ε 4 non-carriers: χ (2) = 7.389, P = 0.023). However, there was no significant difference of prevalence of C carriers and CC genotypes in BMAL2 gene rs2306074 T/C between AD patients and control subjects among APOE ε 4 carriers (C carriers: χ (2) = 0.020, P = 0.900; CC genotypes: χ (2) = 0.017, P = 0.946). C carriers in BMAL2 gene rs2306074 T/C are associated with a high susceptibility of AD among APOE ε 4 non-carriers but not among APOE ε 4 carriers in Chinese population.

Shifting the circadian rhythm of feeding in mice induces gastrointestinal, metabolic and immune alterations which are influenced by ghrelin and the core clock gene Bmal1

BACKGROUND

In our 24-hour society, an increasing number of people are required to be awake and active at night. As a result, the circadian rhythm of feeding is seriously compromised. To mimic this, we subjected mice to restricted feeding (RF), a paradigm in which food availability is limited to short and unusual times of day. RF induces a food-anticipatory increase in the levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin. We aimed to investigate whether ghrelin triggers the changes in body weight and gastric emptying that occur during RF. Moreover, the effect of genetic deletion of the core clock gene Bmal1 on these physiological adaptations was studied.

METHODS

Wild-type, ghrelin receptor knockout and Bmal1 knockout mice were fed ad libitum or put on RF with a normal or high-fat diet (HFD). Plasma ghrelin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Gastric contractility was studied in vitro in muscle strips and in vivo (13C breath test). Cytokine mRNA expression was quantified and infiltration of immune cells was assessed histologically.

RESULTS

The food-anticipatory increase in plasma ghrelin levels induced by RF with normal chow was abolished in HFD-fed mice. During RF, body weight restoration was facilitated by ghrelin and Bmal1. RF altered cytokine mRNA expression levels and triggered contractility changes resulting in an accelerated gastric emptying, independent from ghrelin signaling. During RF with a HFD, Bmal1 enhanced neutrophil recruitment to the stomach, increased gastric IL-1α expression and promoted gastric contractility changes.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study demonstrating that ghrelin and Bmal1 regulate the extent of body weight restoration during RF, whereas Bmal1 controls the type of inflammatory infiltrate and contractility changes in the stomach. Disrupting the circadian rhythm of feeding induces a variety of diet-dependent metabolic, immune and gastrointestinal alterations, which may explain the higher prevalence of obesity and immune-related gastrointestinal disorders among shift workers.

REV-ERB ALPHA polymorphism is associated with obesity in the Spanish obese male population

REV-ERB ALPHA has been shown to link metabolism with circadian rhythms. We aimed to identify new polymorphisms in the promoter of REV-ERB ALPHA and tested whether these polymorphisms could be associated with obesity in the Spanish population. Of the 1197 subjects included in our study, 779 were obese (BMI 34.38±3.1 kg/m2) and 418 lean (BMI 23.27±1.5 kg/m2). In the obese group, 469 of the 779 had type 2 diabetes. Genomic DNA from all the subjects was obtained from peripheral blood cells and the genotyping in the REV-ERB ALPHA promoter was analyzed by High Resolution Melting. We found six polymorphisms in the REV-ERB ALPHA promoter and identified rs939347 as a SNP with the highest frequency in the total population. We did not find any association between rs939347 and type 2 diabetes (p = 0.101), but rs939347 was associated with obesity (p = 0.036) with the genotype AA exhibiting higher frequency in the obese (5.2% in total obese vs 2.4% in lean). This association was found only in men (p = 0.031; 6.5% AA-carriers in obese men vs 1.9% AA-carriers in lean men), with no association found in the female population (p = 0.505; 4.4% AA-carriers in obese women vs 2.7% AA-carriers in lean women). Our results suggest that the REV-ERB ALPHA rs939347 polymorphism could modulate body fat mass in men. The present work supports the role of REV-ERB ALPHA in the development of obesity as well as a potential target for the treatment of obesity.

Whole blood thrombin generation in Bmal1-deficient mice

The Calibrated Automated Thrombogram (CAT) assay that measures thrombin generation (TG) in platelet-poor and -rich plasma, is increasingly being recognised as a more sensitive tool to determine the overall function of the haemostatic system. We developed a method enabling the measurement of TG in a small aliquot of blood. The objective was to validate this assay in mouse blood and to examine the rate and extent of TG in a mouse model of premature aging. TG was assayed in blood from 20- to 28-week-old brain and muscle ARNT-like protein-1 (Bmal1)-deficient (knockout, KO) mice and wild-type (WT) littermates. Bmal1-KO mice are known to display symptoms of premature aging. TG was initiated by adding calcium, tissue factor and a thrombin specific substrate. After TG, the samples were prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The intra-assay variations (%) in mouse blood of the endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), peak height, lag time, time-to-peak and velocity index were 10% or less (n=24). We found that Bmal1-KO mice have a significantly (p<0.001) higher ETP (437 ± 7 nM.min; mean ± SD, n=7) when compared with WT mice (ETP=220 ± 45 nM.min; mean ± SD, n=5). The peak heights also differed significantly (p=0.027). By applying SEM we found that Bmal1 deficient mice display a denser fibrin network with smaller pores compared to WT mice. In conclusion, the whole blood TG assay in mice revealed to be reproducible. As a proof-of-principle we have shown that the whole blood TG assay is capable of detecting a prothrombotic phenotype in Bmal1-KO mice.

Circadian regulation of lipid mobilization in white adipose tissues

In mammals, a network of circadian clocks regulates 24-h rhythms of behavior and physiology. Circadian disruption promotes obesity and the development of obesity-associated disorders, but it remains unclear to which extent peripheral tissue clocks contribute to this effect. To reveal the impact of the circadian timing system on lipid metabolism, blood and adipose tissue samples from wild-type, ClockΔ19, and Bmal1(-/-) circadian mutant mice were subjected to biochemical assays and gene expression profiling. We show diurnal variations in lipolysis rates and release of free fatty acids (FFAs) and glycerol into the blood correlating with rhythmic regulation of two genes encoding the lipolysis pacemaker enzymes, adipose triglyceride (TG) lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase, by self-sustained adipocyte clocks. Circadian clock mutant mice show low and nonrhythmic FFA and glycerol blood content together with decreased lipolysis rates and increased sensitivity to fasting. Instead circadian clock disruption promotes the accumulation of TGs in white adipose tissue (WAT), leading to increased adiposity and adipocyte hypertrophy. In summary, circadian modulation of lipolysis rates regulates the availability of lipid-derived energy during the day, suggesting a role for WAT clocks in the regulation of energy homeostasis.

Global loss of bmal1 expression alters adipose tissue hormones, gene expression and glucose metabolism

The close relationship between circadian rhythm disruption and poor metabolic status is becoming increasingly evident, but role of adipokines is poorly understood. Here we investigated adipocyte function and the metabolic status of mice with a global loss of the core clock gene Bmal1 fed either a normal or a high fat diet (22% by weight). Bmal1 null mice aged 2 months were killed across 24 hours and plasma adiponectin and leptin, and adipose tissue expression of Adipoq, Lep, Retn and Nampt mRNA measured. Glucose, insulin and pyruvate tolerance tests were conducted and the expression of liver glycolytic and gluconeogenic enzyme mRNA determined. Bmal1 null mice displayed a pattern of increased plasma adiponectin and plasma leptin concentrations on both control and high fat diets. Bmal1 null male and female mice displayed increased adiposity (1.8 fold and 2.3 fold respectively) on the normal diet, but the high fat diet did not exaggerate these differences. Despite normal glucose and insulin tolerance, Bmal1 null mice had increased production of glucose from pyruvate, implying increased liver gluconeogenesis. The Bmal1 null mice had arrhythmic clock gene expression in epigonadal fat and liver, and loss of rhythmic transcription of a range of metabolic genes. Furthermore, the expression of epigonadal fat Adipoq, Retn, Nampt, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 and liver Pfkfb3 mRNA were down-regulated. These results show for the first time that global loss of Bmal1, and the consequent arrhythmicity, results in compensatory changes in adipokines involved in the cellular control of glucose metabolism.

The nutrigenomic investigation of C57BL/6N mice fed a short-term high-fat diet highlights early changes in clock genes expression

Mice fed long-term high-fat diets (HFD) are an established model for human metabolic disorders, such as obesity and diabetes. However, also the effects of short-term HFD feeding should be investigated to understand which are the first events that trigger the onset of a pre-disease condition, the so-called metabolic syndrome, that increases the risk of developing clinical diseases. In this study, C57BL/6N mice were fed a control diet (CTR) or a HFD for 1 (T1) or 2 weeks (T2). Metabolic and histological effects were examined. Cecum transcriptomes of HFD and CTR mice were compared at T2 by microarray analysis. Differentially expressed genes were validated by real-time PCR in the cecum and in the liver. After 2 weeks of diet administration, HFD mice showed an altered expression pattern in only seven genes, four of which are involved in the circadian clock regulatory pathway. Real-time PCR confirmed microarray results of the cecum and revealed the same trend of clock gene expression changes in the liver. These findings suggest that clock genes may play an important role in early controlling gut output systems in response to HFD in mice and that their expression change may also represent an early signaling of the development of an intestinal pro-inflammatory status.

Mechanism of the circadian clock in physiology

It has been well established that the circadian clock plays a crucial role in the regulation of almost every physiological process. It also plays a critical role in pathophysiological states including those of obesity and diabetes. Recent evidence has highlighted the potential for targeting the circadian clock as a potential drug target. New studies have also demonstrated the existence of "clock-independent effects" of the circadian proteins, leading to exciting new avenues of research in the circadian clock field in physiology. The goal of this review is to provide an introduction to and overview of the circadian clock in physiology, including mechanisms, targets, and role in disease states. The role of the circadian clocks in the regulation of the cardiovascular system, renal function, metabolism, the endocrine system, immune, and reproductive systems will be discussed.

Feeding period restriction alters the expression of peripheral circadian rhythm genes without changing body weight in mice

Accumulating evidence suggests that the circadian clock is closely associated with metabolic regulation. However, whether an impaired circadian clock is a direct cause of metabolic dysregulation such as body weight gain is not clearly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that body weight gain in mice is not significantly changed by restricting feeding period to daytime or nighttime. The expression of peripheral circadian clock genes was altered by feeding period restriction, while the expression of light-regulated hypothalamic circadian clock genes was unaffected by either a normal chow diet (NCD) or a high-fat diet (HFD). In the liver, the expression pattern of circadian clock genes, including Bmal1, Clock, and Per2, was changed by different feeding period restrictions. Moreover, the expression of lipogenic genes, gluconeogenic genes, and fatty acid oxidation-related genes in the liver was also altered by feeding period restriction. Given that feeding period restriction does not affect body weight gain with a NCD or HFD, it is likely that the amount of food consumed might be a crucial factor in determining body weight. Collectively, these data suggest that feeding period restriction modulates the expression of peripheral circadian clock genes, which is uncoupled from light-sensitive hypothalamic circadian clock genes.

Effect of premature aging on murine adipose tissue

To evaluate the effect of aging on adipose tissue development, subcutaneous (SC) and gonadal (GON) white and peri-aortic brown adipose tissues were analyzed of 10 and 30 week old mice deficient in the clock gene Bmal1 (brain and muscle arnt like protein 1) (Bmal1(-/-)) and wild-type littermates (Bmal1(+/+)) kept on a standard fat diet. At both ages, daily food intake was significantly decreased for Bmal1(-/-) mice, associated with reduced hypothalamic expression of PPARα. Between 10 and 30 weeks of age, the total body weight of Bmal1(+/+) mice increased significantly, but that of Bmal1(-/-) mice did not change. Whereas for Bmal1(+/+) mice, both SC and GON fat mass increased with age, these decreased for Bmal1(-/-) mice. This was associated with increased adipocyte size with age for Bmal1(+/+) but not for Bmal1(-/-) mice. Adipose tissue related angiogenesis was not affected by genotype or aging. Peri-aortic brown adipose tissue mass in 30 week old Bmal1(-/-) mice was significantly reduced as compared to age-matched Bmal1(+/+) mice. Comparison of gene expression profiles in SC and GON adipose tissues of both genotypes revealed very marked effects of Bmal1 gene deletion in itself on PAI-1 (4- to 13-fold downregulation), whereas the associated effect of premature aging was striking for leptin (90- to 130-fold downregulation). Thus, premature aging in Bmal1(-/-) mice kept on normal chow was associated with reduced adiposity.