Seasonal light hours modulate peripheral clocks and energy metabolism in mice

Cell Metab. 2023 Sep 1:S1550-4131(23)00300-5. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.08.005. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTExcept for latitudes close to the equator, seasonal variation in light hours can change dramatically between summer and winter. Yet investigations into the interplay between energy metabolism and circadian rhythms typically use a 12 h light:12 h dark photoperiod corresponding to the light duration at the equator. We hypothesized that altering the seasonal photoperiod affects both the rhythmicity of peripheral tissue clocks and energy homeostasis. Mice were housed at photoperiods representing either light hours in summer, winter, or the equinox. Mice housed at a winter photoperiod exhibited an increase in the amplitude of rhythmic lipid metabolism and a modest reduction in fat mass and liver triglyceride content. Comparing melatonin-proficient and -deficient mice, the effect of seasonal light on energy metabolism was largely driven by differences in the rhythmicity of food intake and not melatonin. Together, these data indicate that seasonal light impacts energy metabolism by modulating the timing of eating.PMID:37689069 | DOI:10.1016/j.cmet.2023.08.005

Source: Cell Metabolism - September 9, 2023 Category: Cytology Authors: Lewin Small Leonidas S Lundell Jo Iversen Amy M Ehrlich Morten Dall Astrid L Basse Emilie Dalbram Ann N Hansen Jonas T Treebak Romain Barr ès Juleen R Zierath Source Type: research