Acute and chronic effects of VMH lesions on circadian rhythms in food intake and metabolites.

In the dynamic phase, 3 weeks after surgery, food intake increased especially during the latter part of the light cycle in VMH-lesioned rats, and the difference between light and dark cycles disappeared. The rhythms of serum insulin, glucose, and triglyceride disappeared. Concentrations of glucose during the light cycle were lower than those of sham-operated rats, although concentrations of triglyceride and insulin were higher than those of sham-operated rats at all times. In the static phase, 12 weeks after surgery, the difference of food intake between light and dark cycle appeared in VMH-lesioned rats, but the loss of rhythmicity for serum glucose, insulin, and triglyceride remained. Concentrations of glucose except early light phase and concentrations of triglyceride and insulin at all times were higher than those of sham-operated rats. VMH lesions thus abolished circadian rhythmicity in serum insulin, glucose, and triglyceride for a long period; however, the disturbed rhythmicity of food intake was reversible.