How weaker body clocks may contribute to obesity and blood sugar problems in mice

Transient damping of peripheral clock rhythms was observed in mice following an advanced light-dark cycle.

• Peripheral clocks showed reduced rhythm amplitude after a shift to an earlier light-dark cycle.
• Repeated phase shifts also led to a similar reduction in peripheral rhythm amplitude.
• Temporarily disrupting the central clock in mice resulted in peripheral amplitude depression comparable to that seen after light-dark cycle advancement.
• No significant changes in body mass or glucose tolerance were found in either male or female mice, regardless of diet type.
• Chronic peripheral clock damping alone does not appear to cause adverse metabolic effects in mice.

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