Restricted feeding-induced entrainment of activity rhythm and peripheral clock rhythm

Daily restricted feeding entrains the circadian rhythm of mouse clock gene expression in the central nervous system excluding the suprachiasmatic nucleus, as well as in the peripheral tissues such as the liver, lungs, and heart. In addition to entrainment of the clock gene, daily restricted feeding induces a locomotor activity increase 2-3 h before the restricted feeding time. The increase of activity is called the food anticipatory activity (FAA). At present, the mechanisms for restricted feeding-induced entrainment are still unknown. In this review, we describe the role of the central nervous system and peripheral tissues in FAA performance and also in entrainment of clock gene expression.