Intermittent Fasting Modulation of the Diabetic Syndrome in Streptozotocin-Injected Rats

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of intermittent overnight fasting in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (STZ rats). Over 30 days, groups of 5-6 control or STZ rats were allowed free food access, starved overnight, or exposed to a restricted food supply comparable to that ingested by the intermittently fasting animals. Intermittent fasting improved glucose tolerance, increased plasma insulin, and lowered Homeostatis Model Assessment index. Caloric restriction failed to cause such beneficial effects. The β-cell mass, as well as individual β-cell and islet area, was higher in intermittently fasting than in nonfasting STZ rats, whilst the percentage of apoptotic β-cells appeared lower in the former than latter STZ rats. In the calorie-restricted STZ rats, comparable findings were restricted to individual islet area and percentage of apoptotic cells. Hence, it is proposed that intermittent fasting could represent a possible approach to prevent or minimize disturbances of glucose homeostasis in human subjects.

Comparison of GLUT1, GLUT2, GLUT4 and SGLT1 mRNA Expression in the Salivary Glands and Six Other Organs of Control, Streptozotocin-Induced and Goto-Kakizaki Diabetic Rats

“…Diabetic STZ rats were obtained as described elsewhere [8], GK rats were obtained from the Paris colony, initiated by the end of the 1980s [9] from the original Japanese colony [10] and maintained from that time at the University Paris-Diderot animal core [11]. Parotid and submaxillary glands, heart, kidney, liver, lung, soleus muscle and pancreas were removed and processed for quantitative real-time PCR analysis as previously described, according to the delta Ct method, the gene expression level of each mRNA being normalized to relative GAPDH (glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme) mRNA [7].…”

Impact of intermittent fasting on health and disease processes

“…When diabetic BDNF+/− mice are maintained on an ADF diet, their circulating levels of glucose, insulin and leptin are reduced, and glucose tolerance is normalized (Duan et al, 2003a). Interestingly, IF can ameliorate the insulin deficit and glucose intolerance in a rat model of type I diabetes by a mechanism involving preservation of pancreatic β-cells (Belkacemi et al, 2012). Although not yet established, it is likely that enhancement of cellular stress resistance by IF protects β-cells, as has been reported in studies of the effects of IF on other cell types (e.g., myocardial cells and neurons) (Mattson and Wan, 2005; Mattson, 2015).…”

“…The increased heart rate variability in rats maintained on ADF may result from enhanced activity of brainstem cholinergic cardiovagal neurons (Mager et al, 2006; Wan et al, 2014). Levels of circulating cholesterol and triglycerides are reduced in animals on ADF and TRF diets (Varady et al, 2007; Belkacemi et al, 2012; Chaix et al, 2014). TRF protects mice against obesity and metabolic syndrome caused by consumption of atherogenic diets including a high fat + glucose diet and a high fructose diet (Chaix et al, 2014).…”

Meal frequency and timing in health and disease

“…However, because weight loss may reduce inflammation regardless of the dietary change inducing the weight loss, it will be important to determine if and how eating patterns modify inflammation independently of weight loss. Multiple studies have shown that fasting can lessen symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (61), and data from animal studies suggest that the pathogenesis of other autoimmune disorders may also be counteracted by IER, including multiple sclerosis (62), lupus erythematosus (63), and type I diabetes (64). In a mouse model of stroke, IER suppressed elevations of TNF and IL-1β in the ischemic cerebral cortex and striatum, which was associated with improved functional outcome (41).…”