Title : Intermittent fasting protects against alzheimer’s pathology via the gut-microbiota-metabolites-brain axis
Abstract:
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia without effective clinical treatment. Here, we show that intermittent fasting (IF) improves cognitive functions and AD-like pathology in a transgenic AD mouse model (5XFAD). IF alters gut microbial composition with a significant enrichment in probiotics such as Lactobacillus. The changes in the composition of the gut microbiota affect metabolic activities and metabolite production. Metabolomic profiling analysis of cecal contents revealed IF leads to a decreased carbohydrate metabolism (e.g., glucose) and an increased abundance in amino acids (e.g., sarcosine and dimethylglycine). Interestingly, we found that the administration of IF-elevated sarcosine or dimethylglycine mimics the protective effects of IF in 5XFAD mice, including the amelioration of cognitive decline, amyloid-β (Aβ) burden, and glial over-activation. Our findings thus demonstrate an IF regimen is a potential approach to prevent AD progression at least through gut-microbiota-metabolites-brain axis, and constitutes an innovative AD therapeutic avenue.
Audience Takeaway:
- Intermittent fasting (IF) regimen improves cognitive functions and AD-like pathology in 5XFAD mice.
- Gut microbiota is required for the beneficial effects of IF against AD.
- IF-enriched metabolites sarcosine and dimethylglycine prevent AD progression.
