Metabolomic biomarkers of rest-activity rhythms in older men: results from the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) study

Our findings expand the current knowledge about the relationship between diurnal behaviors and human metabolism, and provide new evidence regarding mechanistic pathways that may mediate the adverse health effects of impaired rest-activity rhythms in older men. Statement of Significance In this metabolomics study in older men, we found a large number of metabolites that were associated with rest-activity rhythms. Our findings expand the current knowledge about the relationship between circadian-regulated diurnal behaviors and human metabolism, reinforce the critical role of circadian function in health and diseases, and provide new evidence regarding mechanistic pathways that may mediate the adverse effects of circadian disruptions. Our findings also point to ample future directions for further research to further elucidate the relationships among rest-activity rhythms, metabolomic profiles, and disease risk, which may help identifying intermediate targets for developing disease therapies and developing models for disease risk prediction and management.