Influence of obesity, weight loss, and free fatty acids on skeletal muscle clock gene expression

Skeletal muscle clock gene expression is altered by obesity and weight loss, with mRNA levels significantly changing in response to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.

• Obesity is associated with increased and decreased levels of specific clock gene mRNA in women compared to normal-weight controls.
• After Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, clock gene mRNA levels in obese women were restored to those of normal-weight controls.
• In obese men, clock gene mRNA levels were decreased compared to normal-weight men.
• The expression of most other clock genes remained unchanged by obesity or weight loss in both women and men.
• Clock gene expression was inversely correlated with plasma lipids, suggesting a link between lipid levels and circadian regulation.
• Palmitate treatment altered clock gene expression profiles in myotubes, indicating that dyslipidemia may disrupt circadian functions.

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