
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
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.
Library Comment
Notes
Open access.
Recommended Citation
Myers, Jelissa, "The Effects of a Calorie-Restricted High-Fat Diet Protocol on Glucose Metabolism, Immune Cell Composition, and Akkermansia muciniphila Levels" (2025). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3748.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/etd/3748
Comments
Data is provided by the student.