UQ Researchers Uncover Liver's Internal Body Clock, Linked to Chronic Health Conditions

University of Queensland (UQ) researchers have identified that the liver possesses its own internal body clock, a critical mechanism influencing its function and deeply linked to chronic health conditions such as obesity.

The Liver's Rhythmic Protein Release

Dr. Meltem Weger from UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience explained that the liver releases essential proteins following a precise 24-hour cycle. Disruptions to this natural rhythm are directly associated with chronic conditions like obesity.

The liver's protein release, which is critical for regulating metabolism, inflammation, and energy balance, occurs in timed waves rather than at a constant rate.

This rhythmic release, crucial for regulating metabolism, inflammation, and energy balance, underscores the precise timing of the liver's biochemical activities.

Impact of Daily Routine Disruptions

These significant findings suggest that common daily routine disruptions—such as shift work or irregular eating patterns—can profoundly affect liver function. Researchers observed that individuals who maintained regular meals sustained healthy liver rhythms, whereas those who consumed a balanced nutrition drink hourly exhibited a loss of these vital rhythms.

Significance and Future Directions

Dr. Benjamin Weger emphasized the critical health implications of disrupted liver clock rhythms, highlighting the deep interconnections between the body's internal clock, metabolism, and liver function. This pioneering study is the first to describe protein secretion rhythms at a molecular level and meticulously explain how they are influenced by daily routines.

Associate Professor Frederic Gachon outlined the next research steps, which involve gaining a deeper understanding of why the liver’s internal body clock is indispensable for maintaining health and preventing chronic diseases.

The groundbreaking research was published in Nature Metabolism.