PhD Scientific Days 2025

Molecular Medicine II.

The Impact of Rhythmic Adipose Tissue Function on Inflammatory Processes

Name of the presenter

Vendl Bernadett

Institute/workplace of the presenter

University of Semmelweis, Department of Physiology

Authors

Bernadett Vendl¹, Csongor György Szántó¹, Dr. Zsófia Búr¹, Bianka Farkas¹, Zalán Lumniczky¹, Prof. Dr. Krisztina Káldi¹, and Dr. Krisztina Ella¹

1: Department of Physiology

Text of the abstract

Introduction: 
The circadian clock aligns physiological processes with rhythmic environmental changes. The central clock in the hypothalamus regulates the peripheral clocks of our tissues. However, the rhythms of metabolic organs are also influenced by the time pattern of feeding. In cases of irregular or unhealthy eating, the synchronization between the central and peripheral clocks might be disrupted, increasing the risk of metabolic and inflammatory diseases.  Our previous results suggested that time-restricted feeding (TRF) strengthened the rhythmicity of metabolic tissues and alleviated inflammatory states.

Aims: 
Our aim was to investigate whether changes in adipose tissue functions might contribute to the anti-inflammatory effects of TRF.  

Methods: 
C57BL/6 mice at 50–60 days of age were divided into four groups. The first group received standard chow ad libitum (NC AL). Metabolic disturbance was induced using an ad libitum high-fat diet (HF AL). In the TRF groups, the animals received either standard chow or high-fat diet during the first 10 hours of the active phase (NC TRF, HF TRF). After four weeks, visceral and subcutaneous white and brown adipose tissues were collected. We examined tissue leukocyte populations via flow cytometry, tissue morphology using histological sections, and adipokine expression levels using qPCR. 

Results: 
The HF and TRF dietary interventions significantly affected adipocyte morphology, like cell size and browning. Additionally, TRF reduced the expression of leptin in white adipose tissue in the NC group, with the strongest effect observed in visceral fat (p=0.026). HF diet significantly increased leptin production (p=0.017) and reduced the amplitude of its daily oscillation, however TRF compensated this effect.  

Conclusions: 
TRF significantly reduces leptin levels, and modifies white adipose tissue morphology, and therefore, it might contribute to the alleviation of the inflammatory status.  

Funding:  
EKÖP-2024-176, Bolyai János Kutatási Ösztöndíj  

Új Nemzeti Kiválóság Program Bolyai+ Felsőoktatási Fiatal Oktatói, Kutatói Ösztöndíj (ÚNKP-23-5-SE-20) 

 Új Nemzeti Kiválóság Program “Tudománnyal fel!” felsőoktatási doktorvárományosi és posztdoktori kutatói ösztöndíj (ÚNKP-20-4-II-SE-23) 

 NKFIH K132393