Adipose tissue gene expression profiling in women with overweight or obesity following early vs. late time-restricted eating

Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a promising strategy to prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes, but data on its effects on adipose tissue metabolism are limited. Therefore, we conducted a crossover study examined 31 women with overweight or obesity who followed both a two-week early TRE (eTRE) and a two-week late TRE (lTRE). Gene expression profiles in subcutaneous adipose tissue collected after both TRE interventions were compared using RNA sequencing. These data provide a first insight into the remodelling of the human adipose tissue transcriptome by the eating timing during TRE, warranting consideration in future dietary research and recommendations. Overall design: Women with overweight or obese women have completed the randomized 10-weeks crossover clinical trial. After a 4-week baseline phase, two isocaloric 2-week interventions – (i) eTRE and (ii) lTRE - were conducted, separated by a 2-week washout phase. During the baseline phase, the participants consumed their usual food quality and quantity at their usual meal times. In the eTRE intervention, participants were asked to consume the same kind and amount of food as during the baseline but reduce their eating window to 8 h per day for a daytime from 8 am to 4 pm, while in the lTRE intervention, the 8-hour eating window shifted to 1 pm to 9 pm. Between the two interventions, participants returned to their usual eating times. Throughout the 10 weeks of the study, participants were asked to maintain their usual lifestyle habits in terms of physical activity and sleep. Subcutaneous adipose tissue samples were collected periumbilically at 9.30 a.m. after both interventions (visits 2 and 4) using a needle biopsy. Samples from 15 study participants were analysed using RNA-seq technology.