Alternating between fasting phases and normal eating periods would influence gene expression in more than 22 parts of the body, such as the brain, liver or intestines.
- Gene expression is the process by which genes are activated and respond to their environment by creating proteins.
- The genes involved in the two upper parts of the small intestine, namely the duodenum and the jejunum, were activated by food restriction, but this was not the case for the ileum, located at the lower end of the intestine. organ.
“Intermittent fasting involves a daily cycle of eating and fasting. In both animals and humans, this time-restricted eating has health benefits that manifest in multiple organ systems, but the molecular basis of these beneficial effects is not well understood”, said scientists from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies (USA).
Samples taken from 22 organs and mouse brains
In a study published in the journal Cell Metabolism, they tried to find out how this mode of feeding affects the organism at the molecular level. For this, the researchers carried out an experiment on mice. In detail, they fed two groups of rodents the same high-calorie diet. The first group had free access to food. The other animals could only feed for nine hours a day. After seven weeks, tissue samples were taken from 22 of their organs (liver, stomach, lungs, heart, kidney, intestines, etc.) and from their brains at different times of the day or night, then analyzed to detect genetic changes.
Intermittent fasting: 80% of mouse genes react to this diet
“We discovered that intermittent fasting has a profound impact on gene expression. (…) By altering the timing of eating, we were able to alter gene expression, not only in the gut or the liver , but also in thousands of brain genes”, said Satchidananda Panda, author of the research in a statement. According to the results, 80% of the mice’s genes respond to this time-restricted diet. Nearly 40% of genes in the adrenal gland, hypothalamus and pancreas were affected by intermittent fasting. As a reminder, these organs are important for hormonal regulation.
“Intermittent fasting synchronized circadian rhythms”
“Circadian rhythms are everywhere, in every cell. We found that intermittent fasting syncs circadian rhythms into two big waves: one during fasting and another just after eating. We think this allows the body to coordinate different processes”, said Satchidananda Panda. According to the professor, these results pave the way for a more in-depth analysis of how intermittent fasting “activates genes implicated in specific diseases, such as cancer”.
