Impact of early vs. late time-restricted eating on lipid metabolism in women with overweight or obesity

Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a promising strategy to prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes, but its effects on the lipid metabolism are controversial. This crossover study examined 31 overweight or obese women who followed a two-week early TRE (eTRE) and a two-week late TRE (lTRE). Plasma lipid profiles were analyzed using shotgun lipidomics before and after each intervention. eTRE affected 103 lipid species, reducing ceramides and phosphatidylcholines, and altered the activity indices of desaturases D5D, D6D, and D9D, as well as elongase ELOVL6. lTRE altered D5D index but caused no substantial changes in lipid species and classes. Combined analysis of plasma lipidome and subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies revealed alterations in the glycerophospholipid pathway and the expression of phospholipase enzymes PLB1, PLA2G6, and PLAG4B by the TRE timing. These results suggest that the eating timing during TRE is crucial for remodeling lipid metabolism, warranting consideration in future dietary research and recommendations.