Lipolysis rhythmicity refers to the natural, time-of-day dependent fluctuations in the rate at which triglycerides stored in adipose tissue are broken down into free fatty acids for energy use. This rhythmic process is tightly controlled by the circadian system, which programs the body for fat storage during the feeding phase and fat mobilization during the fasting phase, typically overnight. Maintaining a robust lipolysis rhythm is essential for metabolic flexibility, healthy weight management, and preventing the accumulation of ectopic fat. Disruption of this rhythm, often due to late-night eating, can impair the body’s ability to utilize fat as fuel.
Origin
This term combines ‘lipolysis,’ the biochemical process of fat breakdown, and ‘rhythmicity,’ which describes the presence of a recurring, regular pattern, rooted in chronobiology. The concept gained traction when researchers demonstrated that the activity of key lipolytic enzymes and their hormonal regulators are subject to a strong diurnal variation. It links the cellular clock in adipocytes directly to systemic energy homeostasis.
Mechanism
The rhythm is primarily driven by the reciprocal actions of insulin and catecholamines, whose circulating levels fluctuate throughout the day. During the fasting, resting phase, insulin levels are low, and the nocturnal surge of catecholamines, coupled with the rhythmic expression of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), promotes efficient fat breakdown. The adipocyte’s peripheral clock regulates the sensitivity to these lipolytic and anti-lipolytic signals, ensuring that fat mobilization is gated to the appropriate time for energy substrate availability.
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