Integrated respirometry and metabolomics unveil circadian metabolic dynamics in Drosophila.

Circadian and sleep disruptions in Drosophila melanogaster cause significant metabolic dysregulation, with mutant and constant darkness conditions showing impaired redox homeostasis.

• Why it matters: Understanding how sleep and circadian rhythms influence energy metabolism is crucial for addressing metabolic health issues linked to behavioral disruptions, yet the mechanisms remain unclear.
• What they did: High-resolution respirometry combined with LC-MS metabolomics was used to analyze respiratory patterns and metabolic states in different fly genotypes and conditions, including wild-type, sleep mutants, and constant darkness.
• The result: Disruptions in sleep and circadian systems led to altered fuel preferences, elevated metabolic rates, and widespread metabolic and redox imbalances, revealing their essential roles in energy substrate coordination.