Fasting regimen proves effective against obesity-induced cognitive decline
Researchers have recently explored the beneficial effects of intermittent fasting (IF) on neuroinflammation and cognitive decline in a study published in Nutrients. They focused on mice subjected to a high-fat diet (HFD) and examined the impacts of IF on brain health, particularly in the context of diabetic encephalopathy.
Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are known for their adverse effects on cognitive functions, including memory impairment. These conditions often lead to increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), worsening neuroinflammation and memory issues. The disruption in the hippocampal BBB is now seen as an early indicator of diabetes-related cognitive decline.
The study highlighted the role of two proteins, lipocalin-2 (LCN2) and galectin-3 (GAL3), in obesity and T2D-related chronic inflammation. These proteins are believed to be involved in activating harmful immune responses in the diabetic brain through BBB leakage.
The researchers used a mouse model to understand how chronic IF could counteract neuroinflammation caused by LCN2 and GAL3, as well as reduce adipose tissue inflammation. Mice were divided into three groups: normal diet, high-fat diet, and high-fat diet followed by intermittent fasting. The IF group first received an HFD for eight weeks, followed by a regimen of alternating fasting for 22 weeks.
Various tests were conducted, including EchoMRI for body fat measurement, insulin and glucose tolerance tests, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for assessing serum protein levels. Additionally, apoptosis in white adipose tissues (WATs) was measured using the TUNEL assay, and the extent of BBB leakage in the hippocampus was also examined.
The study revealed that mice on a high-fat diet showed increased body weight, body fat, impaired glucose tolerance, and adipocyte death, alongside elevated levels of LCN2 and GAL3. However, intermittent fasting led to significant weight loss, improved insulin resistance, and reduced inflammation in the adipose tissue. This intervention also decreased serum levels of LCN2 and GAL3, reducing BBB leakage, neuroinflammation, and memory deficits.
In conclusion, the study posits that IF could be an effective alternative to continuous caloric restriction. It may improve insulin resistance, reduce adipose tissue inflammation, and mitigate metabolic dysfunctions in obesity and T2D, thereby protecting against cognitive impairment and memory deficits. The findings open new avenues for research into IF as a therapeutic strategy for managing obesity and T2D-related brain health issues.
This is an interest piece of work. No doubt this will have significant weight loss in human once this is accepted as a standard module in the field of weight loss management. However, it seems there is more work to be done before it is regarded as a valid option In clinical practice.