A Diet Mimicking Fasting Promotes Regeneration and Reduces Autoimmunity and Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

Cell Rep. 2016 Jun 7;15(10):2136-2146. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.05.009. Epub 2016 May 26.

Abstract

Dietary interventions have not been effective in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we show that periodic 3-day cycles of a fasting mimicking diet (FMD) are effective in ameliorating demyelination and symptoms in a murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model. The FMD reduced clinical severity in all mice and completely reversed symptoms in 20% of animals. These improvements were associated with increased corticosterone levels and regulatory T (Treg) cell numbers and reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TH1 and TH17 cells, and antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Moreover, the FMD promoted oligodendrocyte precursor cell regeneration and remyelination in axons in both EAE and cuprizone MS models, supporting its effects on both suppression of autoimmunity and remyelination. We also report preliminary data suggesting that an FMD or a chronic ketogenic diet are safe, feasible, and potentially effective in the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients (NCT01538355).

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens / immunology
  • Apoptosis
  • Autoimmunity*
  • Diet*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / diet therapy*
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / immunology*
  • Fasting*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Models, Biological
  • Multiple Sclerosis / diet therapy*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology*
  • Myelin Sheath
  • Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein / immunology
  • Oligodendroglia / pathology
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology
  • Regeneration*
  • Spinal Cord / immunology
  • Spinal Cord / pathology
  • Spleen / pathology

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein
  • Peptide Fragments
  • myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (35-55)

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01538355