Differential Roles of Breakfast and Supper in Rats of a Daily Three-Meal Schedule Upon Circadian Regulation and Physiology

Rats that missed breakfast displayed significantly decreased levels of plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and glucose during their active phase.

• The absence of breakfast resulted in delayed circadian phases of the hepatic peripheral clock and related metabolic genes.
• Skipping the last meal led to lower plasma total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and glucose levels during the rest phase.
• Rats that missed supper showed reduced adipose tissue accumulation and body weight gain.
• Analysis indicated a weakened rhythm in the food-entraining pathway, with down-regulation of clock genes associated with metabolism.
• The findings suggest that the first meal influences the timing of peripheral clocks, while the last meal is linked to lipid metabolism and fat accumulation.

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