Effect of time-restricted feeding and caloric restriction in metabolic associated fatty liver disease in male rats.

Background: The prevalence of metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is high. However, there are few studies on the effects of time-restricted feeding (TRF) and caloric restriction (CR) in MAFLD.

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy and mechanism of 4 h TRF and 60% CR in MAFLD.

Methods: Twelve male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the Normal group (normal diet, 10 kcal% fat), while the remaining 38 rats were assigned to the MAFLD group (high-fat diet, 60 kcal% fat). 10 weeks later, the MAFLD group was randomly divided into the 4 h TRF, 60% CR, 4 h TRF + 60% CR, and Model groups; all rats were then given normal diet. After 4 weeks, weight, blood lipid, and other indicators were detected.

Results: After the high-fat diet was discontinued, the liver lipid levels in the rat with MAFLD significantly reduced, while the body weight was not significantly changed. The rats in the Model group were heavier than those in the other four groups (p < 0.01). The triglyceride levels were higher in the TRF + CR group compared with the Model group (p < 0.01). Compared with the Model group, 110 metabolites were decreased in the TRF + CR group, and 83 metabolites were elevated in liver. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes revealed that the mechanism involved the proliferator-activated receptor alpha signaling pathway, metabolic pathway, and so on. We observed differences in silent information regulator transcript 1 (SIRT1) mRNA levels in all five groups (p = 0.003).

Conclusions: 4 h TRF and 60% CR significantly reduced body weight and liver lipid in rats with MAFLD. 4 h TRF can improve MAFLD, and there is no need to excessively restrict food intake.