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Updated: Jun 26, 2025

Assessment of the Metabolic Effects of Isocaloric 2:1 Intermittent Fasting in Mice
Published on: November 27, 2019
Intermittent fasting influences immunity and metabolism
Daniel M Marko1, Meghan O Conn1, Jonathan D Schertzer1
1Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Centre for Metabolism, Obesity, and Diabetes Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
Intermittent fasting (IF) impacts immune cell metabolism, improving metabolic flexibility and reducing inflammation in obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). It offers distinct benefits compared to caloric restriction by influencing immune and metabolic signaling pathways.
Area of Science:
- Immunometabolism
- Cellular Metabolism
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Intermittent fasting (IF) influences immunometabolic responses critical for metabolic flexibility and inflammation in obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D).
- Fasting periods necessitate shifts in substrate utilization, impacting cellular energy pathways.
- Obesity and T2D are characterized by metabolic dysfunction and chronic inflammation, creating a complex environment for therapeutic interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the immunometabolic effects of IF, contrasting them with caloric restriction (CR).
- To elucidate the communication between metabolic and immune cells during fasting.
- To explore how disease-specific immunometabolism affects IF outcomes, including the role of gut microbiota.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on immunometabolism and intermittent fasting.
- Analysis of cell- and tissue-specific responses to fasting.
- Examination of signaling pathways connecting metabolic and immune systems.
Main Results:
- IF modulates immunometabolic responses, enhancing metabolic flexibility and reducing inflammation.
- Distinct from CR, IF can improve glucose metabolism and lower inflammation, even without significant weight loss.
- Fasting induces time-dependent, compartmentalized immune changes involving liver, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and immune cells.
Conclusions:
- Intermittent fasting presents a unique approach to managing metabolic diseases by targeting immunometabolism.
- Understanding the interplay between metabolic and immune cells is crucial for optimizing IF strategies.
- The gut microbiota plays a significant role in mediating the metabolic and immune effects of IF.
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