Effects of modified alternate-day fasting regimens on adipocyte size, triglyceride metabolism and plasma adiponectin levels in mice

Krista A. Varady, D. J. Roohk, Yu-Chi Loe, Bridget K. McEvoy-Hein, and Marc K. Hellerstein

Nutritional Science and Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720

Corresponding Author: krvarady{at}yahoo.com

Calorie restriction (CR) affects adipocyte function and reduces body weight. However, the effects of alternate-day fasting (ADF) on adipose biology remain unclear. This study examined the effect of ADF and modified ADF regimens on adipocyte size, triglyceride (TG) metabolism, and adiponectin levels, in relation to changes in body weight and adipose mass. Twenty-four male C57BL/6J mice were randomized for 4 weeks among: 1) ADF-25% (25% CR on fast day, ad-libitum on alternate day), 2) ADF-50% (50% CR on fast day), 3) ADF-100% (100% CR on fast day), and 4) control (ad-libitum). Body weight of ADF-100% was lower than the other groups (P < 0.005) post-treatment. Adipose tissue weights did not change. Inguinal and epidydimal fat cells were 35-50% smaller (P < 0.01) than controls in ADF-50% and ADF-100% post-treatment. Net lipolysis was augmented (P < 0.05) in ADF-100% and the contribution from glyceroneogenesis to a-glycerol phosphate increased in ADF-50% and ADF-100%, while fractional and absolute de novo lipogenesis also increased in ADF-50% and ADF-100%, consistent with an alternating feast-fast milieu. Plasma adiponectin levels were not affected. In summary, modified ADF (ADF-50%) and complete ADF (ADF-100%) regimens modulate adipocyte function, despite no change in body weight or adipose tissue weight in the former group.

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