Circadian Clocks and Metabolism

Abstract

At cellular, tissue and organism levels, metabolism is organized in a rhythmic manner by the circadian multi-oscillatory system on a daily scale. This system influences metabolism throughout the body in several ways, including temporal cues from the master clock via the autonomic nervous system and neuroendocrine pathways, messages from local clocks in a given tissue, and the synchronisation of external or internal factors, such as light, ambient temperature and feeding time. Numerous reciprocal interactions occur between metabolic intracellular pathways and the molecular clockwork. These interactions are affected, among others, by meal timing or light exposure at atypical times. Gut microbiota modulates energy homeostasis of the host, and is, in turn, modulated by the host’s feeding/fasting cycle. Circadian misalignment has deleterious effects on health. Appropriately phased exercise, meals and other nutritional interventions may have beneficial effects in limiting or preventing circadian disruption and improving metabolic health.