Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2025

Manipulation of Rhythmic Food Intake in Mice Using a Custom-Made Feeding System
Published on: December 16, 2022
Time-restricted feeding alleviates metabolic implications of circadian disruption by regulating gut hormone release
Sensen Chi1, Taoyuan Zhang1, Yu Pan1
1Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China. aishunjin@cqmu.edu.cn.
Abstract:
Individuals with rotating and night shift work are highly susceptible to developing metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. This is primarily attributed to disruptions in the circadian rhythms caused by activities and irregular eating habits. Time-restricted feeding (tRF) limits the daily eating schedules and has been demonstrated to markedly improve several metabolic disorders. Although an intricate relationship exists between tRF and circadian rhythms, the underlying specific mechanism remains elusive. We used a sleep disruption device for activity interference and established a model of circadian rhythm disorder in mice with different genetic backgrounds. We found that circadian rhythm disruption led to abnormal hormone secretion in the gut and elevated insulin resistance. tRF improved metabolic abnormalities caused by circadian rhythm disruption, primarily by restoring the gut hormone secretion rhythm and activating brown fat thermogenesis. The crucial function of brown fat in tRF was confirmed using a mouse model with brown fat removal. We demonstrated that chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) effectively improved circadian rhythm disruption-induced metabolic disorders by restoring brown fat activation. Our findings demonstrate the potential benefits of CDCA in reversing metabolic disadvantages associated with irregular circadian rhythms.
Related Concept Videos
Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation
Regulation of Food Intake
Metabolic States of the Body: The Postabsorptive State
Initially, glycogen stored in the liver is broken down to release glucose into the bloodstream, while glycogen in the muscles is broken down to supply glucose for energy directly within the muscle cells. As glycogen stores diminish,...
Management of Insomnia
Hormonal Regulation
Metabolic States of the Body: Fasting and Starvation

