Liver's Internal Clock Linked to Metabolism and Chronic Disease, UQ Study Finds

Researchers at the University of Queensland have discovered that the liver operates on its own internal 24-hour body clock, a rhythm that is crucial for its function and is directly linked to chronic health conditions like obesity.

Disruptions to the liver's natural rhythm—caused by shift work or irregular eating—are associated with chronic conditions such as obesity.

Dr. Meltem Weger from UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience explained that the liver releases essential proteins in a timed, cyclical pattern. This process is not constant but occurs in waves, regulating critical bodily functions including metabolism, inflammation, and energy balance.

Daily Routines Directly Impact Liver Rhythm

The study highlights how modern lifestyles can interfere with this delicate biological timing.

Researchers observed that individuals who ate regular meals maintained healthy liver rhythms, whereas those who consumed a balanced nutrition drink hourly completely lost these rhythms. This underscores the profound impact that daily routines, particularly eating patterns, have on our internal clocks.

A Molecular-Level Discovery

Dr. Benjamin Weger emphasized the health implications, noting the deep interconnections between the body's internal clock, metabolism, and liver function.

This research is the first to describe these protein secretion rhythms at a molecular level and to explain how they are disrupted by our daily activities.

Next Steps for Research

Associate Professor Frederic Gachon indicated the direction for future work: gaining a deeper understanding of why the liver’s internal clock is so critical for maintaining health and preventing chronic diseases.

The findings were published in the journal Nature Metabolism.