Intermittent fasting reduces inflammation and joint damage in a murine model of rheumatoid arthritis: insights from transcriptomic and metagenomic analyses

Background: Intermittent fasting (IF) has shown benefits in various pathological conditions. Although its anti-inflammatory potential has been recognized, its effects on the mechanism underlying rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to investigate the effects of IF in a murine model of RA.

Methods: Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was developed in sixteen male DBA/1 mice, randomly assigned to two groups, with one undergoing IF every other day for four weeks. The effects of IF on joint inflammation and remodeling were evaluated clinically, histologically, and through tomography. Transcriptomic changes were characterized using expression microarrays, validated by RT-qPCR, and confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Additionally, modifications in gut microbiota were assessed through 16 S sequencing.

Results: Mice subjected to IF significantly reduced the incidence and severity of clinical arthritis. Histological and radiographic assessments confirmed a decrease in inflammation and joint damage. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that IF led to the upregulation of 364 genes and the downregulation of 543 genes, with notable reductions in inflammatory signaling pathways associated with RA-related genes, including Cd72, Cd79a, Ifna, Il33, and Bglap 2. Notably, IL33 emerged as a pivotal mediator in the inflammatory processes mitigated by fasting. Key regulators associated with IF effects, such as CEBPA, FOXO1, HIF1A, PPARG, and PPARA, were identified, indicating a complex interplay between metabolic and inflammatory pathways. Furthermore, differential expression of microRNAs and lncRNAs, including miR-15b, miR-103-2, miR-302a, miR-6985, and miR- 5624, was observed. Metagenomic analysis indicated that IF enhanced the abundance and diversity of the gut microbiome, explicitly promoting anti-inflammatory bacterial populations, notably within the genus Ruminococcaceae.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that IF exerts significant anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects in the context of CIA. Given its non-risky nature, further investigation into the potential benefits of IF in patients with RA is warranted.

Clinical trial number: Not applicable.