Regulation of hedonic feeding rhythms by circadian clocks in leptin-receptive neurons

The circadian clock anticipates daily repetitive events to adapt physiological processes. In mammals, the circadian system consists of a master clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which synchronizes subordinate tissue clocks, including extra-SCN central nervous system (CNS) clocks involved in functions such as sleep and appetite regulation. Appetite is controlled by both homeostatic and non-homeostatic (hedonic) circuits. Homeostatic appetite addresses energy needs, while hedonic feeding targets cravings for palatable, calorie-dense foods. The adipokine leptin is a major appetite regulator, interacting with the circadian clock. Although leptin's role in satiation through its action in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) is well established, its involvement in the circadian regulation of feeding remains poorly understood. We hypothesized that circadian gating of leptin signaling in the CNS controls homeostatic and hedonic appetite across the day.

We analyzed food intake rhythms in mice with a loss of leptin (ob/ob mice) or clock function (Per1/2 or Bmal1 KO) and in mice with specific disruption of leptin circadian gating in the CNS (ObRb.Bmal1).

We found that in leptin-deficient mice hedonic appetite increases specifically in the early rest phase. In contrast, clock-deficient Per1/2 mutant mice exhibit blunted rhythms in both hedonic and homeostatic appetite control. Finally, when clock function is disrupted in leptin-sensitive neurons only, mice display a lower sensitivity to palatable food, along with reduced initial weight gain and adipose hypertrophy under obesogenic diet conditions.

Our data describe a local clock-controlled central leptin gating mechanism that modulates hedonic food intake rhythms and impacts metabolic homeostasis.