The DOI matches its Crossref record; 25 of the 25 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Ghrelin is impacted by the endogenous circadian system and by circadian misalignment in humans
Open accessAbstract
The human circadian system regulates hunger independently of behavioral factors, resulting in a trough in the biological morning and a peak in the biological evening. However, the role of the only known orexigenic hormone, ghrelin, in this circadian rhythm is unknown. Furthermore, although shift work is an obesity risk factor, the separate effects of the endogenous circadian system, the behavioral cycle, and circadian misalignment on ghrelin has not been systematically studied. Here we show-by using two 8-day laboratory protocols-that circulating active (acylated) ghrelin levels are significantly impacted by endogenous circadian phase in healthy adults. Active ghrelin levels were higher in the biological evening than the biological morning (fasting +15.1%, P = 0.0001; postprandial +10.4%, P = 0.0002), consistent with the circadian variation in hunger (P = 0.028). Moreover, circadian misalignment itself (12-h behavioral cycle inversion) increased postprandial active ghrelin levels (+5.4%; P = 0.04). While not significantly influencing hunger (P > 0.08), circadian misalignment increased appetite for energy-dense foods (all P < 0.05). Our results provide possible mechanisms for the endogenous circadian rhythm in hunger, as well as for the increased risk of obesity among shift workers.
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Metadata
- Authors
- Qian, J., Morris, C. J., Caputo, R., Garaulet, M., & Scheer, F. A. J. L.
- Affiliations
- Brigham and Women's Hospital (US)
- Universidad de Murcia (ES)
- Corresponding author
- Qian, Jingyi
- Scheer, Frank A. J. L.
- Venue
- International Journal of Obesity
- Published
- 2018-09-19
- Volume
- 43
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 1644-1649
- ISSN
- 0307-0565 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-5497
- PMC
- PMC6424662
- OpenAlex
- W2890695607
- Cited by
- 119
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 2
- FWCI
- 6.47
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- International Journal of Obesity (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Leiden Repository (Leiden University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- American Diabetes Association (R01DK102696, #1‐17‐PDF‐103, R01HL118601, R01DK099512, R01DK105072)
- Brigham and Women's Hospital (UL1RR025758)
- Harvard University (UL1RR025758)
- National Institutes of Health (NIDDK R01DK105072)
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL118601, R01HL094806)
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01DK099512, R01DK105072, NIDDK R01DK105072, R01DK102696)
- National Center for Research Resources (UL1RR025758)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
- Keywords
- ghrelin, circadian rhythm, circadian misalignment, shift work, hunger, appetite, energy-dense foods, postprandial ghrelin, circadian phase, obesity risk, orexigenic hormones
- MeSH terms
- Shift Work Schedule, Adult, Appetite, Circadian Rhythm, Diet, Fasting, Female, Humans, Hunger, Male, Obesity, Sleep, Cross-Over Studies, Postprandial Period, Ghrelin, Young Adult, Meals, Breakfast
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