Search Results (1,817)

Gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in various health challenges, particularly in mitigating diabetes-induced renal damage. Numerous studies have highlighted that modifying gut microbiota is a promising therapeutic strategy for preserving kidney function and mitigating diabetes-related complications. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 supplementations on kidney health in a rat model of diabetes-induced renal damage. Four groups were studied: control, probiotic supplementation, diabetic, and diabetic with probiotic supplementation. Diabetes was induced using a single streptozotocin (STZ) injection after a 12 h fast, and probiotic supplementation (1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg daily) was administered two weeks prior to diabetes induction and continued throughout the experimental period. Weekly assessments included fasting blood glucose, insulin, glycation markers, and kidney function tests. Glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity were analyzed through oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin sensitivity test (IST). The microbiome was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to evaluate changes in diversity and composition. Probiotic supplementation significantly enhanced microbial diversity and composition. Alpha diversity indices such as Shannon and Chao1 demonstrated higher values in the probiotic-treated diabetic group compared to untreated diabetic rats. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, a key indicator of gut health, was also restored in the probiotic-treated diabetic group. Results: Probiotic supplementation significantly improved glycemic control, reduced fasting blood glucose levels, and enhanced insulin sensitivity in diabetic rats. Antioxidant enzyme levels, depleted in untreated diabetic rats, were restored, reflecting reduced oxidative stress. Histological analysis showed better kidney structure, reduced inflammation, and decreased fibrosis. Furthermore, the Comet assay results confirmed a reduction in DNA damage in probiotic-treated diabetic rats. Conclusion: Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 supplementation demonstrated significant protective effects against diabetes-induced renal damage by restoring gut microbiota diversity, improving glycemic control, and reducing oxidative stress. These findings highlight the potential of targeting the gut microbiota and its systemic effects on kidney health as a therapeutic approach for managing diabetes-related complications. Further research is needed to optimize probiotic treatments and assess their long-term benefits in diabetes management and kidney health. Full article

Introduction: Recent studies have discovered that lung cancer subtypes possess distinct microbiome profiles within their tumor microenvironment. Additionally, the tumor-associated microbiome exhibits altered bacterial pathways, suggesting that certain bacterial families are more capable of facilitating tumor progression than others. We hypothesize that there exists a crosstalk between lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells and bacterial cells. Methods and Materials: RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on LUAD cell lines to explore the paracrine signaling effects of bacterial biomolecules. Based on our RNA-seq data, we investigated glycolysis by measuring glucose uptake and lactate production, invasive potential through invasion assays, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. Since lipopolysaccharides (LPS), abundant on the cell walls of Gram-negative bacteria, can activate toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), we inhibited TLR4 with C34 to assess its relationship with the observed phenotypic changes. To identify the bacterial biomolecules responsible for these changes, we treated the media with RNAse enzyme, charcoal or dialyzed away molecules larger than 3 kDa. Results and Discussion: RNA-seq revealed 948 genes upregulated in the presence of E. coli biomolecules. Among these, we observed increased expression of Hexokinase II (HKII), JUN proto-oncogene, and Snail Family Transcriptional Repressor 1. We verified the elevation of glycolytic enzymes through Western blot and saw elevation of 2-deoxyglucose uptake and lactate production in LUAD cell lines incubated in E. coli biomolecules. In addition to E. coli elevating glycolysis in LUAD cell lines, E. coli exposure enhanced invasive potential as demonstrated by Boyden chamber assays. Notably, inhibition of TLR4 did not reduce the impact of E. coli biomolecules on glycolysis or the invasive potential of LUAD. Modulating the E. coli-supplemented media with RNAse enzyme or dextran-coated charcoal or using a spin column to remove biomolecules smaller than 3 kDa resulted in changes in HKII and Claudin protein expression. These findings suggest a direct relationship between E. coli and LUAD, wherein several cancer hallmarks are upregulated. Future studies should further investigate these bacterial biomolecules and their role in the tumor microenvironment to fully understand the impact of microbial shifts on cancer progression. Full article

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Studies have highlighted the critical role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the pathogenesis of DM and its complications. Apple polyphenol (AP) has demonstrated antioxidant properties in various models. In this study, we investigated the effects of AP on DN in a rat model. Type 1 diabetes was induced in Sprague–Dawley rats via a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) (n = 8). Rats with blood glucose levels exceeding 250 mg/dL were treated with AP at dosages of 0.5%, 1%, or 2% (w/w) in drinking water for 10 weeks. AP administration significantly improved early-stage DN markers, including reductions in the blood urea nitrogen-to-creatinine ratio and the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), in a dose-dependent manner. AP treatment also significantly lowered blood triglyceride levels and reduced lipid peroxidation in kidney tissues. Histological analysis revealed that AP attenuated renal hydropic change, reduced glomerular basement membrane thickening, and restored mitochondrial morphology in diabetic rats. Additionally, the upregulation of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) observed in the diabetic kidney was attenuated by AP treatment. In H₂O₂-stimulated rat mesangial cells, AP reduced ROS levels, accompanied by a reduction in TGF-β expression. These findings suggest that AP exerts protective effects against DN by improving renal function and mitigating oxidative stress, indicating its potential as a nutraceutical supplement for slowing DN progression. Full article

Glutathione (GSH), widely present in plant and animal cells and crucial for combating oxidative stress and inflammation, has not been evaluated in dairy cows. This study aims to evaluate the effects of rumen-protected glutathione (RPGSH) supplementation on lactation, nutrient metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, and health in transition dairy cows. Forty Holstein dairy cows (2.65 ± 0.78 of parity, 2.81 ± 0.24 of body condition score, 9207.56 ± 1139.18 kg of previous 305-day milk yield, 657.53 ± 55.52 kg of body weight, mean ± SD) were selected from a large cohort of 3215 cows on day 21 before expected calving (day −21 ± 3 d). Cows were randomly stratified into four dietary treatment groups (n = 10 per group): control (basal diet + 0 g/d RPGSH); T1 (basal diet + 1.5 g/d RPGSH); T2 (basal diet + 2 g/d RPGSH); and T3 (basal diet + 3 g/d RPGSH). Supplementation commenced approximately 21 days (±3) prepartum and continued through 21 days postpartum. Blood samples were collected at −21 ± 3, −14 ± 3, −7 ± 3, 0, 7, 14, and 21 d for analysis of serum metabolic parameters related to oxidative stress and inflammation. Milk composition was analyzed from samples collected on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 postpartum. Compared with the control group, supplementation with 2 g/d of RPGSH reduced somatic cell count (p < 0.05) and the incidence of postpartum diseases in dairy cows. No differences were observed among the groups in milk yield, milk fat, protein, lactose, total solids, dry matter intake, or energy-corrected milk. However, fat-corrected milk and feed efficiency were higher in the T2 group compared to the control (p < 0.05). Calcium and phosphorus levels did not differ among the groups. Compared to the control group, cows supplemented with 2 g/d RPGSH had lower β-hydroxybutyrate levels and higher glucose levels on days 14 and 21 postpartum (p < 0.05). From days 14 to 21 postpartum, RPGSH supplementation increased blood GSH, serum catalase, and total antioxidant capacity while reducing malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, haptoglobin, cortisol, C-reactive protein, and interleukin−6 levels compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The supplementation of 2 g/d RPGSH showed relatively better effects. RPGSH supplementation at 2 g/d improved lactation performance, nutrient metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation status in dairy cows, playing a crucial role in maintaining their health. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the effects of supplementing RPGSH additive in Holstein cows. Full article

Background: Metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and obesity contribute to vascular dysfunction through oxidative stress, heightening cardiovascular risk. Oral supplementation with L-citrulline (L-cit), a precursor of L-arginine (L-arg) and nitric oxide, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may improve vascular function and cardiometabolic health. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of L-cit supplementation and HIIT on arterial stiffness, body composition, glucose metabolism, lipid profile, and blood pressure (BP) in adolescents with MASLD and obesity. Methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05778266), 44 adolescents (15–19 years) with MASLD and obesity were assigned to HIIT + L-cit (n = 14), HIIT + placebo (n = 14), or L-cit (n = 15) for 12 weeks. HIIT sessions (85% and 60% peak heart rate during intense and recovery periods) occurred thrice weekly. Training volume progressively increased, and participants performed 20 min of HITT per session in the last 8 weeks. Results: Outcomes included pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (Aix75), VO2peak, body composition, BP, glucose and lipid profiles, and hepatic steatosis. Compared to L-cit, HIIT + L-cit improved non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.04), very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.01), triglycerides (p = 0.02), and VO2peak (p = 0.001). No significant between-group changes were found in PWV, AIx75, hepatic steatosis, and body composition. HIIT + placebo improved VO2peak (p = 0.002), and L-cit decreased the degree of steatosis (p = 0.038). Conclusions: HIIT + L-cit supplementation enhanced lipid profile and cardiorespiratory fitness, while HIIT + placebo improved cardiorespiratory capacity, and L-cit alone decreased hepatic steatosis. Thus, L-cit could be an adjuvant strategy to manage obesity-related MASLD in adolescents. Full article

In lactating ewes, energy demand increases for milk production, reserve mobilizations, and body weight maintenance. For reconversion to energy, ruminants require ruminal propionate production because it is the most predominant substrate for gluconeogenesis and one of the most relevant pathways since it allows an adequate supply of glucose. Calcium propionate supplementation is an alternative to increase glucose production by an external additive. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the effect of calcium propionate (CaPr) on milk production and milk metabolomic profile on lactating ewes. Sixteen Rambouillet (65.3 ± 6.2 kg BW; three years old) were randomly assigned one of two experimental treatments: (a) basal diet without supplementation (CP/0S) and (b) basal diet + 30 g d⁻¹ of CaPr (CP/30S). The experimental period was from parturition day until day 60 (baby lamb weaning). A completely randomized design was used and analyzed with a mixed model. Initial and final lactating weight and milk production differed statistically (p < 0.05) between treatments. CP/30S led to differential changes (p < 0.05) in the lactation curve, showing significant milk production over eight-week measurements. Lactation peak (mL), maximum production (mL), and lactational persistency (d) were superior (p < 0.05) for supplemented ewes. An 11.4% variability was shown in a principal component analysis between treatments. For CP/0S, 63 bioactive compounds were detected, and 55 for CP/30S treatment. The metabolites detected in CP/0S showed that only fatty acid biosynthesis, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, and fatty acid elongation pathways were affected (p < 0.05) in milk. However, for CP/30S, metabolic pathways related (p < 0.05) were fatty acid biosynthesis, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, fatty acid elongation, phenylalanine metabolism, and steroid metabolism in milk samples. Calcium propionate supplementation increases milk performance and lactation persistency-induced changes in specific metabolic milk production pathways. Full article

This study investigates the effect of dietary Lactobacillus plantarum supplementation on juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). Four groups of the juveniles (initial weight 103.87 ± 2.65 g) were fed for 10 weeks with four diets containing 0 (control diet), 10⁵ (T1), 10⁷ (T2), and 10⁹ (T3) cfu/g of L. plantarum. The main results are as follows: Compared with the control diet, the final weight, specific growth rate (SGR), and weight gain rate (WGR) of the juveniles fed the T1, T2, and T3 diet significantly (p < 0.05) increased, while the feed coefficient ratio (FCR) expressed an opposite trend. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in the serum of the juveniles fed the T2 diet significantly (p < 0.05) increased, while the malondialdehyde (MDA) expressed an opposite trend. The expression of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (pi3k), AKT-interacting protein (akt), mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase (mtor), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (g6pd), sod, cat, and gsh-px genes in the liver of the juveniles fed the T2 diet significantly (p < 0.05) increased. In conclusion, the T2 diet significantly improved the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and upregulated key mTOR pathway genes in juvenile coho salmon. Full article

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious condition that can result in end-stage renal failure. Recent evidence has focused on the dietary effects of polyphenols on blood glucose levels and the complications of diabetes. Objectives: In this study, we investigated the protective effect of glucosyl hesperidin (G-Hes), composed of glucose and hesperidin, against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced nephropathy in mice. Methods: We used an STZ-induced diabetic mouse model to investigate the preventive effect of G-Hes on renal pathology. After G-Hes supplementation for 4 weeks, we investigated the renal gene expression profiles using DNA microarray analysis and renal histology to examine the underlying molecular mechanism. Results: G-Hes suppressed the increase in kidney weight without any change in the blood glucose levels. This study identified 511 genes whose expression levels were substantially increased during DN development but were downregulated by G-Hes supplementation. G-Hes prevented mRNA expression associated with renal tubule injury, fibrosis, and immune responses. Notably, G-Hes supplementation considerably decreased the complement component C3 at the mRNA and protein levels in the glomeruli and ameliorated glomerular and mesangial matrix expansion in diabetic nephropathy. Conclusions: G-Hes supplementation is useful in preventing tubulointerstitial fibrosis and inflammation in a mouse model of DN, without exhibiting a hypoglycemic effect. Full article

The present investigation attempts to evaluate the impact of the dietary inclusion of chia (Salvia hispanica) seed oil (CSO) on the indices of haemato-immunology, metabolic enzymes, and expression of immune-responsive cytokine genes in Labeo rohita (rohu) fingerlings. The responses were observed in a 60-day feeding trial, set up with a total of 180 rohu fingerlings (19.74 ± 0.33 g) randomly allocated to four treatment groups with three replicates each. The groups were fed with a basal diet incorporated with 0%, 1.0%, 2.0%, and 3.0% CSO, denoted as control, CSO (1), CSO (2), and CSO (3), respectively. Significant (p < 0.05) augmentation of hematological indices such as total protein and globulin levels was observed in the group fed a 1.0% CSO-supplemented diet. Serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and complement reactive protein levels declined, whereas marker anti-oxidative enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GST) and protein metabolic enzymes (ALT and AST) increased (p < 0.05) in the lowest CSO-supplemented group. A significant upregulation of inflammatory cytokine viz. IL-1β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and TLR22 alongside downregulation of IL-10 was noted in various tissues. The results support the inclusion of 1.0% CSO as a prospective dietary vegan substitute to fish oil in rohu aquaculture. Full article

Reduced glutathione (GSH) is a main nonenzymatic antioxidant, but its effects and underlying mechanisms on growth and intestinal health in weaned piglets still require further assessment. A total of 180 weaned piglets were randomly allotted to 5 groups: a basal diet (CON), and a basal diet supplemented with antibiotic chlortetracycline (ABX), 50 (GSH1), 65 (GSH2), or 100 mg/kg GSH (GSH3). Results revealed that dietary GSH1, GSH2, and ABX improved body weight and the average daily gain of weaned piglets, and ABX decreased albumin content but increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity and the ratio of AST to alanine transaminase levels in plasma. GSH2 significantly decreased glucose content but increased the content of triglyceride and cholesterol in the plasma. Both GSH1 and GSH2 improved the jejunal mucosa architecture (villus height, crypt depth, and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth), tight junction protein (ZO-1 and Occludin), and antioxidant capacity (CAT and MDA), and the effects were superior to ABX. Dietary GSH improved the jejunal barrier by probably inhibiting the myosin light chain kinas pathway to up-regulate the transcript expression of tight junction protein (ZO-1 and Occludin) and Mucins. Through the proteomics analysis of the jejunal mucosa using 4D-DIA, the KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that differentiated proteins were significantly enriched in redox homeostasis-related pathways such as glutathione metabolism, cytochrome P450, the reactive oxygen species metabolic pathway, the oxidative phosphorylation pathway, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-serine/threonine kinase pathway in GSH2 vs. CON and in GSH2 vs. ABX. The results of proteomics and qRT-PCR showed that GSH supplementation might dose-dependently promote growth performance and that it alleviated the weaning stress-induced oxidative injury of the jejunal mucosa in piglets by activating SIRTI and Akt pathways to regulate GPX4, HSP70, FoxO1. Therefore, diets supplemented with 50–65 mg/kg GSH can promote the growth of and relieve intestinal oxidative injury in weaned piglets. Full article

Coffee pulp, a by-product of wet coffee processing, shows significant potential in the food and health domains, but its real applications remain underexplored. This work investigated the chemical composition and bioactive properties of coffee pulp from São Miguel Island (Azores, Portugal). The studied coffee pulp exhibited high fiber content (52% dw), mostly insoluble; notable mineral levels (10.6%), mainly K, Ca, and Mg; and 6% dw of total amino acids, with hydroxyproline, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and leucine in higher amounts. Despite containing low fat (1.6% dw), mainly saturated, it also showed considerable amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids with a favorable n6/n3 ratio (1.40) and vitamin E (α-, β-, and γ-tocopherols). Its antioxidant capacity can be partially explained by the chlorogenic acid content (9.2 mg/g dw), and caffeine (0.98%) was present in similar amounts to those observed in some arabica coffee beans. A decrease in glucose uptake in Caco-2 cells was found, but not in fructose, suggesting selective inhibition of SGLT1 and potential antidiabetic effects. These results show that Azorean coffee pulp has potential as a sustainable and bioactive ingredient for incorporation into functional foods or dietary supplements. Full article

This research examined the efficacy of substituting commercial fish meal (CFM) with Pterygoplichthys pardalis meal (PPM) in Hoplobatrachus chinensis diets, with and without Euphorbia hirta extract (EHE) supplementation. The study utilized six dietary treatments: a control diet (0% PPM, no EHE) and five experimental diets with varying PPM levels (0%+, 25%+, 50%+, 75%+, and 100%+), each fortified with 300 mg/kg EHE. The experiment spanned 90 days. The analysis revealed that PPM exhibited superior amino acid profiles compared to CFM, both in quality and quantity, while CFM demonstrated higher fatty acid content. The growth metrics showed a significant decline only in the group receiving 100% PPM replacement with EHE supplementation. Most organosomatic indices remained consistent across the treatments, with the exception of intraperitoneal fat, which decreased in all EHE-supplemented groups. Blood parameters, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and hematocrit, along with serum proteins (total protein, globulin, and albumin), displayed an upward trend in all EHE-supplemented groups. The 50%+ and 75%+ PPM replacement groups exhibited significantly elevated serum glucose levels (p < 0.05). Liver enzymes (alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase) showed no significant variations among the treatments. The results indicate that PPM can serve as an effective replacement for up to 75% of CFM in H. chinensis feed, without compromising their growth performance. Moreover, supplementing with EHE helps to enhance essential biochemical indices in the body, without adversely affecting liver function. This investigation offers valuable perspectives on the development of sustainable aquaculture feed and the potential application of invasive fish species in aquatic animal nutrition. Full article

Background: Myo-inositol plays a vital role in human health, functioning as a second messenger of FSH and facilitating the transport of glucose into the cell. Consequently, myo-inositol is regularly utilized in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), wherein it acts upon metabolic factors, improving insulin sensitivity and reducing total androgen levels. Patients with PCOS frequently suffer from infertility; thus, the use of myo-inositol has been explored in improving assistive reproductive technique (ART) procedures. This is by no means limited to patients with PCOS, as inositol has found applications in non-PCOS patient groups in addition to in male factor infertility. This joint statement from the Experts Group on Inositol in Basic and Clinical Research and on PCOS (EGOI-PCOS), the Polish Society of Andrology, and the International Scientific Association for the Support and Development of Medical Technologies discusses the latest evidence on this topic, with the aim of interrogating whether myo-inositol could be implemented in everyday ART patient care. Methods: The authors conducted a narrative review performed via an independent literature search between July and August 2024, using the search platforms PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Results: In both non-PCOS and PCOS populations seeking IVF care, MI supplementation prior to ovarian stimulation may positively affect gonadotropin use and duration, oocyte and embryo quality, fertilization, and clinical pregnancy rates. Conclusions: This position statement recommends that myo-inositol be considered as a potential pretreatment strategy prior to ovarian hyperstimulation with gonadotropins. Full article

Objective: This study aims to identify whether the development of insulin resistance (IR) induced by high selenium (Se) is related to serine deficiency via the inhibition of the de novo serine synthesis pathway (SSP) by the administrations of 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) inhibitor (NCT503) or exogenous serine in mice. Method: forty-eight male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups: adequate-Se (0.1 mgSe/kg), high-Se (0.8 mgSe/kg), high-Se +serine (240 mg/kg/day), and high-Se +NCT503 (30 mg/kg, twice a week) for 5 months. The glucose tolerance test (GTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT) were used to confirm the development of IR in mice with high-Se intake, and fasting blood glucose levels were measured monthly. The Se contents in plasma and tissues were detected by ICP-MS. The levels of insulin (INS), homocysteine (HCY), and serine in plasma were tested by ELISA. Western blot analyses were conducted to evaluate the protein expressions of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), selenoprotein P (SELENOP) and PHGDH, the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway, folate cycle (SHMT1, MTHFR), and methionine cycle (MS). Results: An IR model was developed in mice from the high-Se group with elevated fasting blood glucose and INS levels, impaired glucose tolerance, and reduced insulin sensitivity, but not in both the high-Se +serine group and the high-Se +NCT503 group. Compared with the high-Se and high-Se +serine groups, the expressions of GPX1 and SELENOP significantly decreased for the high-Se +NCT503 group in the liver, muscle, and pancreas tissues. The expression of PHGDH of high-Se group was significantly higher than that of the adequate-Se group in the liver (p < 0.05) and pancreas (p < 0.001). Also, the expected high expression of PHGDH was effectively inhibited in mice from the high-Se +serine group but not from the high-Se +NCT503 group. The expression of p-AKT (Ser-473) for the high-Se group was significantly lower than that of the adequate-Se group in the liver, muscle, and pancreas. Conclusions: The IR induced by high-Se intake in the body has been confirmed to be partially due to serine deficiency, which led to the initiation of SSP to produce endogenous serine. The supplementations of exogenous serine or inhibitors of PHGDH in this metabolic pathway could be used for the intervention. Full article

Background: Prediabetes is a condition that often precedes the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Literature evidence indicates that prediabetes is reversible, making it an important therapeutic target for preventing the progression to T2DM. Several studies have investigated intermittent fasting as a possible method to manage or treat prediabetes. Objectives: This study evaluated the impact of a 14:10-hour time-restricted feeding (TRF) regimen on leptin concentration, insulin sensitivity and selected markers associated with the insulin signalling pathway and glucose homeostasis in diet-induced prediabetic rats. Methods: Twenty-four male Sprague Dawley rats were obtained and randomly divided into two dietary groups: group 1 (n = 6) received a standard diet and water, while group 2 (n = 18) was provided a high-fat, high-carbohydrate (HFHC) diet supplemented with 15% fructose for a period of 20 weeks to induce prediabetes. After confirming prediabetes, an intermittent fasting (IF) regimen was assigned to the rats while also having untreated and metformin-treated prediabetic rats serving as controls. Results: Both IF and HFHC-Met groups yield significantly lower blood glucose, leptin and BMI results compared to the prediabetic group. The IF group yielded significantly lower insulin, HOMA-IR and HbA1C than both controls. Conclusions: The study showed the potential of IF in alleviating prediabetes-induced dysregulation of glucose homeostasis and therefore warrants further investigations into its use in the management of prediabetes. Full article