IL-6 decodes sex and diet-dependent circadian and metabolic rhythms.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in immune regulation and energy metabolism. Its diurnal secretion influences core circadian components, emphasizing its critical role in circadian biology. Despite known sex differences in immune, circadian, and metabolic processes, how IL-6 integrates these processes remains poorly understood.

Methods

IL6 knockout (KO) and control mice of both sexes were phenotyped for circadian and metabolic traits under standard (STD) and high-fat diet (HFD), fasting, and time-restricted feeding. Molecular analyses in muscle, liver, and hypothalamus assessed clock gene expression and IL-6 signaling pathway. Circulating sex steroid hormones were quantified to examine their contribution to the observed sex-specific phenotypes

SUBMITTER: Gonzalez-Vila A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12159943 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature