<![CDATA[NYCU Study Identifies Key Gene Linking Gut Microbiota, Circadian Rhythm, and Metabolic Disease]]>Office of International Promotion and Outreach2026-04-12<![CDATA[<!-- Twitter Card --><meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"><meta name="twitter:site" content="@NYCU_official"><meta name="twitter:title" content="NYCU Study Identifies Key Gene Linking Gut, Circadian Rhythm, and Metabolism"><meta name="twitter:description" content="A key gene, Nfil3, regulates liver immunity and metabolism under high-fat diet stress, offering new insights into fatty liver disease and obesity."><meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.nycu.edu.tw/userfiles/nycuen/images/20260416125734396.png"><meta name="NYCU Study Identifies Key Gene Linking Gut, Circadian Rhythm, and Metabolism"><!-- Open Graph (for X, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) --><meta property="og:type" content="article"><meta property="og:title" content="NYCU Study Identifies Key Gene Linking Gut, Circadian Rhythm, and Metabolism"><meta property="og:description" content="A key gene, Nfil3, regulates liver immunity and metabolism under high-fat diet stress, offering new insights into fatty liver disease and obesity."><meta property="og:image" content="https://www.nycu.edu.tw/userfiles/nycuen/images/20260416125734396.png"><meta property="og:url" content="https://www.nycu.edu.tw/nycu/en/app/news/view?module=headnews&id=552&serno=574cda01-784f-4f0a-a3bf-b6fceb478ade">
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<div class="ed_pic_full"><img alt="The gut is not only a digestive organ—it also influences systemic metabolism and immune function through the “gut–liver axis.”" src="/userfiles/nycuen/images/20260416125734396.png" /></div>
<div class="ed_pic_full" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#4e5f70;"><em><span style="font-size:90%;">The gut is not only a digestive organ—it also influences systemic metabolism and immune function through the “gut–liver axis.”</span></em></span></div>
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<div class="ed_txt"><strong>Edited by Chance Lai</strong><br />
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<div class="ed_txt" style="text-align: justify;">A research team at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) identified a key gene, <strong>Nfil3</strong>, that regulates liver immunity and metabolism under high-fat diet stress, offering new insights into fatty liver disease, obesity, and related disorders.<br />
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Building on this discovery, the team led by Assistant Professor Li-Ling Wu of NYCU’s Institute of Physiology and Microbiota Research Center published their findings in the <em>Journal of Translational Medicine</em>.<br />
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<strong>A Molecular Switch in the Gut–Liver Axis</strong><br />
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Expanding on these insights, Wu’s team demonstrated that Nfil3 is a critical regulator within the so-called “gut–liver axis,” a biological pathway through which the gut microbiota communicates with the liver to influence systemic metabolism and immune responses.<br />
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“The gut is not just a digestive organ—it is a central hub of the immune system,” Wu said. “When the gut is out of balance, the effects extend far beyond digestion, impacting the entire body.”<br />
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Modern lifestyle factors—like high-fat diets and irregular sleep—destabilize this system. The study finds that Nfil3 integrates signals from both diet and disrupted biological clocks, shaping the body’s response to metabolic stress.<br />
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<strong>Gene Deletion Reduces Obesity and Liver Fat</strong><br />
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In experimental models, the researchers observed that removing Nfil3 led to striking metabolic improvements. Even when fed a high-fat diet, mice lacking the gene showed reduced weight gain, more stable blood glucose levels, and lower liver fat accumulation.<br />
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These results highlight Nfil3's active role in promoting obesity and fatty liver disease when the body faces metabolic stress.<br />
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<strong>Probiotics Show Similar Protective Effects</strong><br />
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The study found a promising therapy: multi-strain probiotics, such as VSL#3, improved gut microbiota—boosting good bacteria and reducing those linked to inflammation.</div>
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The metabolic effects of probiotic supplementation resembled those observed in Nfil3-deficient models.<br />
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“This indicates that gut microbes can remotely regulate systemic metabolism through this key pathway,” Wu explained.<br />
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<strong>Toward Precision Treatment of Metabolic Disease</strong><br />
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This research reveals that gut microbiota, circadian rhythms, and immune metabolism connect through Nfil3, advancing our understanding of metabolic disease mechanisms.<br />
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Wu described Nfil3 as a master "control switch" that integrates both dietary and biological clock signals to affect health.<br />
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Looking ahead, she said, the treatment of metabolic diseases may move beyond conventional dietary interventions toward more precise strategies that target the gut microbiota and restore healthy biological rhythms.<br />
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“Future therapies will focus on how to rebalance the body’s internal ecosystem,” Wu said, “and regain control over metabolic health.”<br />
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<img alt="Assistant Professor Li-Ling Wu (front row, center) and her research team." src="/userfiles/nycuen/images/20260416130055912.png" /><span style="color:#4e5f70;"><em><span style="font-size:90%;">Assistant Professor Li-Ling Wu (front row, center) and her research team.</span></em></span></div>
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