Intermittent Fasting Reduces Intestinal Inflammation in Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis of Mice

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), comprising ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), is a chronic condition impacting both the gastrointestinal tract and the immune system. Intestinal inflammation and epithelial injury are the pathological features of IBD. Recent studies have reported that some strategies of dietary restriction (DR) can regulate immune system, correct the immune disorders, and improve some immune-associated diseases such as IBD. However, as a form of DR, the effect of intermittent fasting (IF) on the IBD remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic efficacy of two cycles of IF on the IBD mouse model induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). It was found that two cycles of IF significantly decreased the score of the disease activity index (DAI) and alleviated the IBD-related symptoms. In addition, IF reversed the shortening of colon length mediated by DSS, significantly increased the number of colonic crypts, and decreased the colonic histological score. Furthermore, the proportion of CD4⁺ T cells in both the spleen and mesenteric lymph node was reduced by IF treatment. The expression of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 was restrained by IF intervention. Moreover, IF administration significantly reduced the number of leukocytes and macrophages infiltrating around the crypt base in the colon. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that IF administration can alleviate the symptoms and pathology of IBD in the DSS-induced IBD mouse model by reducing the intestinal inflammation.