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Horm Metab Res 2019; 51(08): 546-553
DOI: 10.1055/a-0897-2496
Endocrine Research
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effects of Different Fasting Durations on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Sprague Dawley Rats

Elin Rakvaag
1   Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
,
Majbritt Dam Lund
1   Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
,
Lars Wiking
2   Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
,
Kjeld Hermansen
1   Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
,
Søren Gregersen
1   Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
3   Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 31 October 2018

accepted 08 April 2019

Publication Date:
23 May 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Overnight fasting of varying length is common practice when studying glucose and lipid metabolism in rats. However, prolonged fasting may influence insulin sensitivity, and it is unknown to which extent different fasting durations affect postprandial metabolism in rats. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different fasting durations (6-, 12-, or 18-h) on fat tolerance and glucose tolerance in male Sprague Dawley rats. We also aimed to examine the effect of two test fats with different fatty acid composition on postprandial triglycerides. We conducted a fat tolerance test, where butterfat or rapeseed oil was administered in a crossover design (experiment 1), and an oral glucose tolerance test (experiment 2). Regarding the fat tolerance test, we found no effects of fasting duration on triglycerides or free fatty acids, whereas the 18-h fast resulted in reduced glucose and insulin area under the curves. We did not find differential effects of butterfat and rapeseed oil on the outcomes. We found decreased fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and increased beta-hydroxybutyric acid concentrations after 18-h fast compared with shorter fasting durations. Regarding the oral glucose tolerance test, both 12-h and 18-h fast resulted in greater peak insulin concentrations than 6-h fast, and peak glucose concentrations were higher after 18-h than 12-h fast. We found no effects of fasting on the insulin sensitivity index. In conclusion, extending the fasting duration had an impact on glucose metabolism in rats, but did not appear to influence fat tolerance.

Key words

food deprivation - glucose tolerance - fat tolerance - fatty acid composition
 

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