Private Blog Network – Researchers at Nagoya University have revealed that seasonal changes can significantly affect the body’s ability to process medication and alcohol tolerance. Using rhesus monkeys as a model for human physiology, the team created a year-round gene expression map involving over 54,000 genes across 80 tissues. Their findings, published in Nature Communications, identified several “seasonally variable genes,” particularly CYP2D6 and CYP2C19, which are responsible for metabolizing roughly a quarter of all commonly prescribed drugs.
These seasonal gene fluctuations could impact the effectiveness of a wide range of medications, from antidepressants and cholesterol-lowering drugs to cancer treatments and hormone therapies. By demonstrating that drug metabolism isn’t constant throughout the year, the study supports a growing body of evidence in favor of chronotherapy—timing treatments based on biological rhythms. This could mark a pivotal advancement in precision medicine, allowing doctors to tailor drug prescriptions not just to the individual, but also to the season.
Cold Weather Appears to Boost Alcohol Tolerance
The research team also investigated how environmental conditions influence alcohol tolerance. They raised mice in environments simulating both winter and summer conditions and found that those raised under winter conditions recovered from alcohol intoxication more quickly than those raised in simulated summer settings. This suggests that alcohol has a stronger intoxicating effect in warmer seasons.
Professor Takashi Yoshimura, who led the study, explained that seasonal changes in alcohol tolerance likely contribute to the rise in summer hospitalizations for alcohol-related issues. While lifestyle and social factors are often blamed for this seasonal trend, the study introduces a biological perspective. It indicates that the body’s efficiency in processing alcohol changes with the seasons, underscoring the need for greater public awareness of these risks, particularly during warmer months.
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Sex-Based Differences Found in Seasonal Carbohydrate Metabolism
Another striking discovery from the study involved sex-based differences in seasonal carbohydrate metabolism. Female monkeys, despite consuming the same diet throughout the year, exhibited increased expression of carbohydrate-processing genes in their duodenum during winter and spring. These genes likely help the body extract more energy from food during periods when food would traditionally be scarce, such as winter.
This seasonal shift in metabolism may help explain why people, especially women, tend to gain weight during the colder months. As spring arrives and dietary variety increases, the body remains primed for maximum nutrient absorption. These findings not only show how metabolism adapts to environmental changes but also suggest that personalized dietary advice could be made more effective by accounting for both seasonal and sex-based differences in gene expression.
New Insights Could Transform the Future of Precision Medicine
The study’s implications stretch far beyond seasonal curiosity. By revealing how gene expression tied to medication effectiveness and metabolic functions changes throughout the year, this research offers a pathway to refine medical treatment through chronotherapy. Rather than treating symptoms uniformly year-round, clinicians may soon consider seasonal patterns when prescribing drugs or recommending lifestyle changes.
Professor Yoshimura stressed the importance of aligning healthcare with the body’s natural rhythms. These findings could lead to the development of medical calendars that recommend optimal times for initiating specific treatments. Additionally, they underscore the potential benefits of integrating seasonal gene expression data into public health strategies, including campaigns on responsible alcohol use and more personalized weight management programs.