Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
10:16
Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World
Published on: April 7, 2020
Evening chronotype is associated with higher circulating pyruvate levels in adults
Sarang Jeong1,2, Eunjin Jang2, Jinhyun Kim3
1Department of Food and Nutrition, Industry-Academy Collaboration Foundation, Dongduk Women's University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Frontiers in Nutrition
|August 7, 2026
Summary
Evening chronotype is linked to higher circulating pyruvate levels, a key metabolic marker. This suggests distinct pyruvate metabolism differences between morning and evening chronotypes, impacting metabolic regulation.
Area of Science:
- Chronobiology
- Metabolic Biochemistry
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Chronotype reflects individual differences in the body's internal clock.
- Animal studies suggest evening chronotypes have altered mitochondrial metabolism.
- Human data linking chronotype to metabolic changes, particularly the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between chronotype and circulating TCA-related metabolites.
- To examine differences in pyruvate, lactate, and citrate levels based on chronotype.
- To explore potential chronotype-driven alterations in human metabolic pathways.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 272 adults classified by chronotype (morning, intermediate, evening).
- Measurement of fasting serum concentrations of pyruvate, lactate, and citrate.
- Statistical analysis using general linear models, adjusted for multiple covariates and validated in sensitivity analyses.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in major clinical or metabolic indicators across chronotypes.
- Evening chronotype individuals exhibited significantly higher serum pyruvate concentrations compared to morning chronotype individuals.
- Serum lactate and citrate levels did not differ significantly between chronotype groups.
Conclusions:
- Evening chronotype is consistently associated with elevated circulating pyruvate levels.
- These findings suggest chronotype influences pyruvate metabolism, a critical metabolic node.
- This highlights potential implications for understanding metabolic regulation and chronotype.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response
Circadian rhythms are cyclic changes that are crucial in plasma drug concentrations. Various standard circadian parameters, including core body temperature, heart rate, and other cardiovascular factors, directly impact disease states and the therapeutic response to drug therapy.
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...
02:19Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation
The biological clock is involved in many aspects of regulating complex physiology in all animals. It was in 1935 when German zoologists, Hans Kalmus and Erwin Bünning, discovered the existence of circadian rhythm in Drosophila melanogaster. However, the internal molecular mechanisms behind the circadian clock remained a mystery until 1984, when Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael W. Young discovered the expression of the Per gene oscillating over a 24-hour cycle. In subsequent years,...