How Fasting Affects Mouse Liver Genes
Author Information
Author(s): Sokolović Milka, Sokolović Aleksandar, Wehkamp Diederik, van Themaat Emiel Ver Loren, de Waart Dirk R, Gilhuijs-Pederson Lisa A, Nikolsky Yuri, van Kampen Antoine HC, Hakvoort Theodorus BM, Lamers Wouter H
Primary Institution: AMC Liver Center, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Hypothesis
The study aims to determine the characteristics of gene-expression profile of mouse liver between 0 and 72 hours of fasting.
Conclusion
The changes in liver gene expression during fasting indicate that energy production predominates during early fasting and that glucose production and glycogen synthesis become predominant during prolonged fasting.
Supporting Evidence
- Liver weight decreased significantly during fasting, especially in the first 12 hours.
- Gene expression related to energy metabolism peaked at 24 hours of fasting.
- Ammonia levels increased significantly after 24, 48, and 72 hours of fasting.
- Glycogen re-accumulated in the liver after 72 hours of fasting.
- Expression of urea cycle enzymes was upregulated throughout the fasting period.
Takeaway
When mice don't eat, their liver changes how it works to make energy and store sugar. At first, it uses energy quickly, but later it focuses on making and storing sugar.
Methodology
Gene-expression profiling, pathway, network and gene-set enrichment analysis, and immunohistochemistry were performed on mouse liver after different fasting durations.
Limitations
The study is limited to mouse models, which may not fully represent human metabolic responses to fasting.
Participant Demographics
6 week-old male FVB mice
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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