Intermittent Fasting Improves Lipid Metabolism Through Changes in Gut Microbiota in Diet-Induced Obese Mice

BACKGROUND The mechanism of how intermittent fasting (IF) improves metabolism is not fully understood. Our study aimed to explore the effect of IF on lipid metabolism in obese mice, specifically on the intestinal flora. MATERIAL AND METHODS Diet-induced obese (DIO) mice were subjected to ad libitum (AL) feeding or IF (alternate-day fasting) for 30 days. We examined the lipid metabolism, fat distribution, gene expression of lipid metabolism, and intestinal flora in the mice. RESULTS Despite having access to the same high-fat diet as the AL-fed groups, IF mice displayed pronounced weight loss, and their lipid metabolism significantly improved, mainly reflected in lower serum lipid levels and ameliorated liver steatosis. IF also reduced metabolic endotoxemia in DIO mice. The 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid gene amplicon sequencing suggested that IF did not change the community richness but had a tendency to increase community diversity in the intestinal flora. In addition, IF significantly reduced the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes and increased the relative abundance of Allobaculum in the intestinal flora. CONCLUSIONS IF can improve fat metabolism, reduce fat accumulation, promote white fat conversion to beige, and improve gut microbiota.