Timekeepers of the gut: host circadian rhythms and microbial modulators

The intestine is a system under circadian control that regulates various physiological processes.

• Circadian rhythms regulate the daily turnover of intestinal cells and affect digestive enzyme expression, mucosal defense, and gut hormone secretion.
• Core clock proteins drive these circadian processes, which are influenced by feeding cues, neural signals, and microbial metabolites.
• The gut microbiota shows diurnal variations in both composition and function, which influence the host's circadian pathways.
• Disruption of the temporal alignment between host and microbiota, as seen in conditions like jet lag or high-fat diets, may lead to impaired intestinal health.
• Such disruptions are associated with increased risks for inflammation, infection, and metabolic disorders.
• Understanding the rhythmic regulation of gut physiology may open avenues for new therapies targeting gut health through chronotherapy and microbiota modulation.

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