High-fat feeding disrupts daily eating behavior rhythms in obesity-prone but not in obesity-resistant male inbred mouse strains

Abstract

Abnormal meal timing, like skipping breakfast and late-night snacking, is associated with obesity in humans. Disruption of daily eating rhythms also contributes to obesity in mice. When fed high-fat diet, male C57BL/6J mice have disrupted eating behavior rhythms and they become obese. In contrast to obesity-prone C57BL/6J mice, some inbred strains of mice are resistant to high-fat diet-induced obesity. In this study, we sought to determine whether there are distinct effects of high-fat feeding on daily eating behavior rhythms in obesity-prone and obesity-resistant male mice. Male obesity-prone (C57BL/6J and 129X1/SvJ) and obesity-resistant (SWR/J and BALB/cJ) mice were fed low-fat diet or high-fat diet for 6 weeks. Consistent with previous studies, obesity-prone male mice gained more weight and adiposity during high-fat diet feeding than obesity-resistant male mice. The amplitude of the daily rhythm of eating behavior was markedly attenuated in male obesity-prone mice fed high-fat diet, but not in obesity-resistant males. In contrast, high-fat feeding did not differentially affect locomotor activity rhythms in obesity-prone and obesity-resistant male mice. Together, these data suggest that regulation of the daily rhythm of eating may underlie propensity to develop diet-induced obesity in male mice.

The role of obesity and bariatric surgery-induced weight loss in breast cancer

“…Indeed, the strain is often termed “obesity-resistant” [ 172 ]. In male BALB/c mice, high fat diet induced minimal weight gain but to a far lesser degree than that measured in C57BL/6 mice [ 173 ]. However, increases in colon cancer progression and metastases were shown in BALB/c males consuming a high fat diet, suggesting impacts of diet alone in the absence of DIO [ 174 ].…”

Maternal high fat diet induces circadian clock-independent endocrine alterations impacting the metabolism of the offspring

“… 18 , 36 However, these alterations are absent in mice protected from HFD induced obesity. 17 , 81 This underscores the notion that maternal HFD during lactation and after weaning is an independent risk factor for offspring health outcomes. 82 Hence, extending maternal dietary intervention to the lactation period likely obscures the effects caused by in utero exposure to maternal HFD.…”

“… 15 , 16 Conversely, HFD and obesity have been observed to disrupt the circadian clock. 17 , 18 Accordingly, a few studies have reported a transgenerational impact of maternal HFD and obesity on the circadian rhythm of the offspring in rodents and primates. 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 …”

Mice with humanized livers reveal the role of hepatocyte clocks in rhythmic behavior

“…Likely, these changes are rather a consequence of the metabolic syndrome caused by this regimen than the high-fat diet per se. Female or male mice from inbred lines that did not develop metabolic syndrome did not display alteration of their circadian and feeding behavior ( 44 , 45 ). Liver diseases in humans were shown to alter the function of the peripheral and central circadian clocks.…”