Combination of starvation interval and food volume determines the phase of liver circadian rhythm in Per2::Luc knock-in mice under two meals per day feeding

Food intake after a 16-hour starvation period caused a significant increase in liver gene expression levels of Per2, Dec1, and Bmal1 compared to intake after an 8-hour starvation period.

• The liver clock may be entrained by the timing and volume of food intake.
• A unimodal peak in bioluminescence rhythm was observed with two meals per day over 14-15 days.
• The peak expression of Per2 occurred with the larger food volume during a 12-hour feeding interval.
• Under different starvation intervals, the peak of the Per2 rhythm was influenced by the duration of starvation.
• Combined factors of food volume and starvation interval affected the liver clock's rhythmic patterns.

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