Role of gut-liver axis in circadian exercise and dietary interventions to improve metabolic health

Kovynev, A.S. (2025)

Doctoral Thesis

In this thesis, we investigated the role of life-style interventions, such as the timing and intensity of exercise or various dietary interventions, on the activity of the gut-liver axis, and how the modulation of the gut-liver axis promotes metabolic health. In particular, we have discovered that late, but not early exercise changes the gut microbiome composition, which leads to fat loss in a fatty liver disease. More generally, optimizing lifestyle interventions in concordance with promoting the healthy gut microbiome is instrumental for combating metabolic diseases.

• Gut microbiome
• MASLD
• Circadian rhythm
• Exercise
• Fiber
• Diet
• Fasting

• All authors: Kovynev, A.S.
• Supervisor: Rensen, P.C.N.
• Co-supervisor: Schönke, M.; Ducarmon, Q.R.
• Committee: Willems van Dijk, K.; Nieuwdorp, M.; Mil, S.W.C. van; Eijsvogels, T.M.H.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Faculty of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden University
• Date: 2025-11-06