Seasonal light hours modulate peripheral clocks and energy metabolism in mice

Lewin Small, Leonidas S. Lundell, Jo Iversen, Amy M. Ehrlich, Morten Dall, Astrid L. Basse, Emilie Dalbram, Ann N. Hansen, Jonas T. Treebak, Romain Barrès*, Juleen R. Zierath

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Except 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.

Original languageEnglish
JournalCell Metabolism
Volume35
Issue number10
Pages (from-to)1722-1735.e5
Number of pages20
ISSN1550-4131
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors

Keywords

  • circadian biology
  • energy homeostasis
  • glucose metabolism
  • hormones
  • integrative physiology
  • obesity
  • transcriptomics

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