Obesity alters the circadian profiles of energy metabolism and glucose regulation in humans
Corresponding Author
Andrew W. McHill
Sleep, Chronobiology, and Health Laboratory, School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Correspondence
Andrew W. McHill, Sleep, Chronobiology, and Health Laboratory, School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorSaurabh S. Thosar
Sleep, Chronobiology, and Health Laboratory, School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Department of Medicine, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Search for more papers by this authorNicole P. Bowles
Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMatthew P. Butler
Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Search for more papers by this authorOmar Ordaz-Johnson
Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Search for more papers by this authorJonathan S. Emens
Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, USA
Search for more papers by this authorJonathan Q. Purnell
Department of Medicine, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMelanie Gillingham
Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Graduate Programs in Human Nutrition, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Search for more papers by this authorSteven A. Shea
Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Andrew W. McHill
Sleep, Chronobiology, and Health Laboratory, School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Correspondence
Andrew W. McHill, Sleep, Chronobiology, and Health Laboratory, School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorSaurabh S. Thosar
Sleep, Chronobiology, and Health Laboratory, School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Department of Medicine, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Search for more papers by this authorNicole P. Bowles
Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMatthew P. Butler
Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Search for more papers by this authorOmar Ordaz-Johnson
Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Search for more papers by this authorJonathan S. Emens
Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, USA
Search for more papers by this authorJonathan Q. Purnell
Department of Medicine, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMelanie Gillingham
Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Graduate Programs in Human Nutrition, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Search for more papers by this authorSteven A. Shea
Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Objective
Given the complex interaction among the circadian system, energy metabolism, and obesity, the authors tested whether having obesity impacts the circadian variation in energy and glucose metabolism in humans.
Methods
Participants with BMI either in the healthy weight or obesity ranges were studied in a 5-day, in-laboratory protocol that equally distributed behaviors (i.e., sleep, eating, exercise) across 24 h. Energy metabolism was measured at rest and during a standardized exercise bout and blood was sampled before and after each identical study meal to assess glucose and insulin levels.
Results
In those with a healthy weight, the circadian nadir of energy expenditure, during both rest and exercise, occurred when participants would normally be asleep. However, in those with obesity, this nadir appears to occur during the habitual wake period. Differences in glucose regulation also depended on the circadian phase, such that individuals with obesity appeared to have relatively greater glucose intolerance during the circadian day and produced less insulin during the circadian night.
Conclusions
Obesity is associated with altered circadian energy and glucose metabolism. Understanding and addressing these associations could lead to strategies that improve body weight and metabolic health in people with obesity.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT
Andrew W. McHill reports consulting for Pure Somni Corporation. The other authors declared no conflict of interest.
Supporting Information
| Filename | Description |
|---|---|
| oby23940-sup-0001-Figures.pdfPDF document, 476.5 KB | Data S1. Supporting Information. |
Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.
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