By Ayo Onikoyi

Oghogho Ebeigbe, a Nigerian scientist and research associate at the Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Diseases (GRHD) at Cleveland State University, USA, is at the forefront of molecular biology research. His research focuses on the interplay between diet, circadian rhythms, and cell metabolism.

This triad is pivotal in understanding and combating metabolic diseases such as diabetes, fatty liver disease, and obesity.

In an interview, Oghogho underscores the essential role of proper dieting in managing metabolic syndrome — a cluster of conditions that significantly heightens the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

He highlights the critical role of diets in health, stating, “The surge in high-calorie, nutrient-poor processed foods is alarming. Fast food chains, sugary beverages, and trans fat-laden snacks have become household staples. This so-called ‘Western diet’ significantly contributes to the rise of metabolic syndrome, increasing our risk for insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and abdominal obesity. Conversely, adopting low-calorie diets that limit sugar and fat intake can effectively combat metabolic syndrome.”

Recognized for his expertise in calorie restriction diets, Ebeigbe highlights their well-documented longevity promoting benefits and effectiveness in preventing metabolic diseases. He also delves into circadian clocks, the internal timing systems that align our biological activities with the day-night cycle. Circadian misaligned individuals, such as shift workers, are prone to various health disorders. He also studies metabolism – chemical reactions that change food into energy.

His research examines how both calorie restriction and circadian clocks impact cell metabolism, stressing the importance of lifestyle interventions.

“My colleagues and I have discovered a tight association between the calorie restriction diet and the circadian clock,” Ebeigbe explains. “Circadian clock disruption, either by genetic manipulation or misaligned feeding, impairs metabolism and the longevity benefits of the calorie restriction diet. Irregular food timing misaligns circadian clocks and affects major metabolic pathways needed for cellular homeostasis.” This highlights the need for synchronizing dietary habits with natural circadian rhythms to maintain optimal metabolic health.

He is currently concentrating on liver lipid metabolism, a crucial area because its dysregulation is a leading cause of fatty liver disease. Notably, there are no approved drugs for this disease, with healthy dieting being the recommended treatment option. He states, “Despite the proven benefits of various diets, they remain largely uncharacterized.”

Research in the lab at GRHD is funded through a National Institute of Health Grant, emphasizing the importance of his research to the US and the globe.

Looking ahead, he aims to further characterize the molecular mechanisms behind diet-induced metabolic changes. “My goal is to use advanced molecular biology techniques to understand how diets affect our metabolism at a cellular level,” he says. “This understanding could lead to more precise dietary recommendations and interventions for preventing metabolic diseases.”

Through his ongoing research, Ebeigbe hopes to pave the way for improved management strategies for metabolic syndrome, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for those affected by these conditions.