Muscat: A recent study published in Science revealed that the hepatic vagal afferent nerve (HVAN) plays a crucial role in regulating circadian eating patterns, offering potential insights for anti-obesity treatments.

According to Oman News Agency, the research found that communication between the liver and brain via the HVAN influences food intake rhythms, with disruptions leading to weight gain, particularly under high-fat diets. In mice, removal of HVAN corrected disrupted eating patterns and reduced weight gain, suggesting it could be a target for managing obesity.

Circadian rhythms, which regulate biological processes like eating, are usually synchronized with external cues like light. However, desynchronization of these rhythms, such as through altered eating patterns, can contribute to metabolic disorders like obesity.

The study specifically targeted REV-ERBa/ß nuclear receptors, disrupting liver-brain communication without affecting other organ systems. The results showed that severing the HVAN rev
ersed disrupted eating behaviors, resulting in weight loss.

This research highlights the critical role of liver-brain communication in maintaining metabolic balance, emphasizing the hepatic vagus nerve as a key regulator of food intake and circadian rhythms.