Cyclic feeding regime stimulates chromatin condensation in the hepatocytes’ nuclei of old rats

Abstract

Aging-related human malignancies and diseases are linked to flaws in chromatin condensation, which may be due to its significance in the segregation of chromosomes, regulation of genes and apoptosis. Investigations of Calorie Restriction (CR) have given significant information on the mechanisms that control cell reactions to metabolic variations and how these structures function in synergy toward ensuring a harmonized reaction. Chromatin plays a vital part in this process. Cyclic feeding regime (CFR) is more beneficial than CR in that it is easy to carry out. Therefore, the reason for this investigation was to investigate the effect of CFR on chromatin condensation in the hepatocytes’ nuclei of 20-month-old rats. DNA accessibility assay was used as a marker for chromatin condensation using Acridine Orange. DNA accessibility is the ability of Acridine Orange (AO) to intercalate and stain the DNA structure. Thus, from the DNA accessibility results, DNA condensation increased to 66% with 34% DNA accessibility after the first fasting, with a reduction to 41% with 59% DNA accessibility following refeeding. The second fasting–refeeding regime leads to a sharp 74% increase and 35% decrease in DNA condensation with 26% and 65% DNA accessibility, respectively. The results showed that old animals responded to CFR, with their consecutive fasting regime increasing the chromatin condensation.