Open AccessReduced caloric intake and periodic fasting independently contribute to metabolic effects of caloric restriction
Author(s) -
Velingkaar Nikkhil,
Mezhnina Volha,
Poe Allan,
Makwana Kuldeep,
Tulsian Richa,
Kondratov Roman V.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
aging cell
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 140
eISSN - 1474-9726
pISSN - 1474-9718
DOI - 10.1111/acel.13138
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , caloric theory , biology , insulin , carbohydrate metabolism , metabolism , homeostasis , glucose homeostasis , intermittent fasting , food intake , insulin sensitivity , insulin resistance
Caloric restriction (CR) has positive effects on health and longevity. CR in mammals implements time‐restricted (TR) feeding, a short period of feeding followed by prolonged fasting. Periodic fasting, in the form of TR or mealtime, improves metabolism without reduction in caloric intake. In order to understand the relative contribution of reduced food intake and periodic fasting to the health benefits of CR, we compared physiological and metabolic changes induced by CR and TR (without reduced food intake) in mice. CR significantly reduced blood glucose and insulin around the clock, improved glucose tolerance, and increased insulin sensitivity (IS). TR reduced blood insulin and increased insulin sensitivity, but in contrast to CR, TR did not improve glucose homeostasis. Liver expression of circadian clock genes was affected by both diets while the mRNA expression of glucose metabolism genes was significantly induced by CR, and not by TR, which is in agreement with the minor effect of TR on glucose metabolism. Thus, periodic fasting contributes to some metabolic benefits of CR, but TR is metabolically different from CR. This difference might contribute to differential effects of CR and TR on longevity.