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Cited by 192Gut microbiota and healthCircadian rhythm and melatoninOral microbiology and periodontitis research

Gut microbiota as a transducer of dietary cues to regulate host circadian rhythms and metabolism

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Choi, Hyoann, Rao, Mrinalini C., Chang, Eugene B.·2021·Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology
DOI 10.1038/s41575-021-00452-2PMC PMC8521648
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Abstract

Certain members of the gut microbiota exhibit diurnal variations in relative abundance and function to serve as non-canonical drivers of host circadian rhythms and metabolism. Also known as microbial oscillators, these microorganisms entrain upon non-photic cues, primarily dietary, to modulate host metabolism by providing input to both circadian clock-dependent and clock-independent host networks. Microbial oscillators are generally promoted by plant-based, low-fat (lean) diets, and most are abolished by low-fibre, high-sugar, high-fat (Western) diets. The changes in microbial oscillators under different diets then affect host metabolism by altering central and peripheral host circadian clock functions and/or by directly affecting other metabolic targets. Here, we review the unique role of the gut microbiota as a non-photic regulator of host circadian rhythms and metabolism. We describe genetic, environmental, dietary and other host factors such as sex and gut immunity that determine the composition and behaviour of microbial oscillators. The mechanisms by which these oscillators regulate host circadian gene expression and metabolic state are further discussed. Because of the gut microbiota's unique role as a non-photic driver of host metabolism and circadian rhythms, the development and clinical application of novel gut microbiota-related diagnostics and therapeutics hold great promise for achieving and maintaining metabolic health.

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  • Dietary patterns, meal timing, sleep habits, and circadian rhythm can alter the composition and functional diversity of the gut microbiota.

    “Dietary patterns, meal timing, sleep habits, and circadian rhythm can alter the composition and functional diversity of the gut microbiota [98].”

    From The Seven Methods for the Evaluation of Nutritional Status—ABCDEFG: Narrative Review (2026) · cites this paper as [98]

    The 'Dietary patterns and diet composition' section reports that diet and feeding times affect microbial composition and daily oscillations. The 'Genetics, sex and environmental manipulation' section reports that circadian-clock disruption can alter microbial composition and functional capacity, but it does not establish that sleep habits themselves have those effects. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.82)

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References 81 · Cited by 192

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Authors
Choi, H., Rao, M. C., & Chang, E. B.
Affiliations
  • Georgia Institute of Technology (US)
  • University of Illinois Chicago (US)
  • University of Chicago (US)
Corresponding author
Chang, Eugene B.
ORCID
Venue
Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2021-05-17
Volume
18
Issue
10
Pages
679-689
ISSN
  • 1759-5045 (ISSN-L)
  • 1759-5053
DOI
10.1038/s41575-021-00452-2
PMC
PMC8521648
OpenAlex
W3161202912
Cited by
192
References
81
Citations by year
2026: 36 · 2025: 47 · 2024: 41 · 2023: 33 · 2022: 32 · 2021: 3
FWCI
2.86
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01DK115221, P30DK042086, R01DK138072)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Oral microbiology and periodontitis research
Keywords
gut microbiota, circadian rhythm, non-photic entrainment, host metabolism, circadian clock, Western diet, plant-based diet, sex differences, intestinal immunity, circadian gene expression, metabolic health
MeSH terms
Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Dietary Sugars, Host Microbial Interactions, Biological Clocks, Circadian Rhythm, Diet, Dietary Fiber, Energy Metabolism, Humans, Obesity, Diet, Vegetarian, Diet, High-Fat, Diet, Western

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