Differential responses of peripheral circadian clocks to a short-term feeding stimulus

A 30-minute feeding stimulus significantly altered the expression and circadian phases of peripheral clock genes in rat hearts.

• The transcript levels of most clock genes (Bmal1, Cry1, Per1, and Per2) were down-regulated in the heart within 2 hours.
• The expression of clock genes in the kidney was only marginally affected, with Per1 being the exception.
• Circadian phases of clock genes in the heart were markedly shifted within 1 day following the feeding stimulus.
• The peak phases of clock genes in the kidney were almost unaffected by the same 30-minute feeding stimulus.
• These differential gene responses suggest potential dysregulation of peripheral circadian rhythms and downstream physiological functions.

AI simplified