Impact of Parental Time-Restricted Feeding on Offspring Metabolic Phenotypic Traits

Intermittent fasting (IF) is widely recognized for its numerous health benefits, yet its impact on metabolic health across generations remains relatively unexplored. This study investigates the intergenerational effects of parental IF, specifically through 8-hour daily time-restricted feeding, on the metabolic health of offspring. By examining four different combinations of parental mating groups, we demonstrate that parental IF can influence offspring metabolic health in distinct ways. Our results reveal that parental IF conferred significant metabolic advantages compared to ad libitum (AL) feeding. IF parents exhibited lower glucose, HbA1c, cholesterol, and CRP levels, and higher ketone levels compared to AL parents. Offspring of IF-exposed animals displayed sex-specific metabolic benefits when challenged with a high-fat, high-sugar, and high-salt (HFSS) diet. Notably, female offspring from IF parents were protected against HFSS-induced glucose intolerance and exhibited lower plasma glucose levels and higher ketone levels compared to offspring of ad libitum-fed parents. Additionally, female offspring from IF parents on a HFSS diet, along with both female and male offspring on a normal diet, had elevated plasma insulin levels. Furthermore, male offspring from IF parents on a normal diet exhibited a significant reduction in body weight compared to offspring from AL parents. These findings suggest that parental IF can impart enduring metabolic benefits to offspring and may serve as an effective strategy to mitigate the risks of obesity and diabetes in future generations.