Impact of Short‐term, Repeated Water Fasting on the Weight of Mice

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Neurology and Neurosurgery Research Group, Students Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

3 Department of Pathology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Caloric restriction is a strategy applied for weight loss. Water fasting is a popular way for obesity treatment. However, little is known about the impact of water fasting on weight. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of short-term, repeated water fasting on the weight of mice. Methods: In this study, the physiological effect of short-term, repeated water fasting on the weight of female mice was evaluated. At 6 weeks of age, mice were randomly assigned to either repeated-fasting or control group (fed ad libitum). Each group consisted of twenty mice. As the fasting period started, the repeated-fasting group had access to only water; animals had free access to food and water on non-fasting days. Body weight of each group before, during, and after the fasting period was recorded. Results: Body weight of the fasting group significantly decreased, unlike the control group. However, the fasting group gained weight rapidly after being re-fed and became significantly heavier than mice in the control group (P<0.01). Interestingly, the average body weight of the fasting group increased, compared to that of the control group; in fact, the fasting mice weighed approximately 10% heavier than the control ones. Conclusion: Repeated water fasting was not only ineffective for weight loss but also increased the body weight of fasting mice.

Keywords

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 02 August 2014
  • Revise Date: 20 August 2014
  • Accept Date: 21 August 2014

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