# A Central Circadian Clock-Adipose Tissue Circuit Regulates Thermogenesis and Energy Balance

> **NIH NIH F32** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $66,390

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 Disruption of circadian rhythms is strongly correlated to obesity and metabolic diseases. Mice with a
dysfunctional clock and individuals who experience shift work, jet lag, and sleep disorders develop glucose
intolerance, insulin resistance, and weight gain. Recent data indicates the timing of food consumption is a key
determinant of metabolic health. Mice and humans in constant darkness have a disrupted diurnal rhythm of
diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT). Furthermore, our lab has found that isocaloric feeding in mice during the
light period results in pronounced weight gain and glucose intolerance, as compared to the dark period. This
effect of differential weight gain during the light vs dark period is lost in mice lacking adipose tissue
thermogenesis. This suggests adipose tissue thermogenesis is regulated in a circadian manner to align DIT
with optimal feeding times (dark period in mice). However, the mechanisms that integrate adipose tissue
thermogenesis with feeding remain unclear. In this proposal, we aim to characterize the central circadian
control of adipose tissue sympathetic stimulation and thermogenic activation. The experiments in this proposal
will reveal a novel neurocircuit that aligns feeding rhythms with adipose tissue DIT to maintain energy
homeostasis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10183141
- **Project number:** 5F32DK122675-02
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Chelsea Hepler
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $66,390
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-04-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10183141

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10183141, A Central Circadian Clock-Adipose Tissue Circuit Regulates Thermogenesis and Energy Balance (5F32DK122675-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10183141. Licensed CC0.

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