Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Jelissa Myers

Date

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Health Studies

Committee Chair

Marie van der Merwe

Committee Member

Melissa Puppa-Lasher

Committee Member

Tracy Bruen

Abstract

Calorie restriction (CR) has been widely studied for its health benefits, including metabolic improvement and lifespan extension. However, the implications of a calorie-restricted high-fat diet (CR-HFD) on immune cell composition and gut microbiota remain poorly understood. This study investigated if a CR-HFD would improve glucose homeostasis, alter immune cell composition, and alter the levels of Akkermansia muciniphila, a gut commensal bacterium known for its association with metabolic health. Fifteen male C57BL/6 mice were assigned to either a standard Chow diet ad libitum, a 45% fat diet ad libitum (HF), or a calorie-restricted high-fat (CR) diet. CR exhibited improved glucose clearance compared to HF. Gut permeability was also reduced for CR compared to HF, but not significantly. CR had fewer colonic CD4+ cells but no other immune alterations. A. muciniphila levels were preserved in CR but depleted in HF. These findings suggest CR provides limited protection against high-fat diet-induced metabolic impairments.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

PDF

Notes

Open access.

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