The Beat Goes On: The Impact of Circadian Rhythms on insulin resistance

Abstract

Metabolic activities are interfered by circadian rhythm, orchestrated by the central clock suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in hypothalamus and peripheral clocks in other tissue and organs. In this review, how both circadian and non-circadian genes within these organs and tissues can mutually influence circadian rhythms, potentially inducing or exacerbating insulin resistance at the cellular level is outlined. Furthermore, to delves into the impact of environmental factors beyond atypical light exposure and jet lag on the expression of genes related to peripheral clocks, emphasizing the demand for precise control experiments and the application of sophisticated statistical models for analyzing results. The expression anomalies of circadian-related genes across diverse organs may instigate varying degrees of metabolic disturbances, culminating in diverse intensities of insulin resistance. Besides, this review critically examines the effects of circadian rhythm disruptions on insulin resistance, incorporating both existing and potential pharmacological interventions that address these metabolic dysfunctions through multiple pathways. It proposes innovative experimental approaches and hypotheses aimed at enhancing our understanding of circadian influences on metabolic health.