Liver circadian clock regulates hepatokine secretion

Researchers at UT Health San Antonio, the academic health center of The University of Texas at San Antonio, published a study in Tata Communications on June 2, 2026, revealing that the liver's internal circadian clock controls the time-dependent secretion of hepatokines—proteins that regulate metabolism. The study, led by Kevin Koronowski and first-authored by Bong Go, analyzed the liver's secreted proteome in mice and identified hundreds of proteins released on daily schedules. A key finding was that endostatin, a liver protein, was most effective at promoting fat breakdown when released according to the liver's natural daily rhythm. This suggests that future metabolic treatments based on such proteins might be more effective if administered at specific times of day. The research was supported by the United States — National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association. The findings provide a mechanism linking circadian disruption to metabolic disease and could inform chronotherapy approaches, though no clinical treatments are established yet.