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C. elegans show the significant impact fasting has on a future generation's amount of body fat

AJAS · 2022 Animal Science

Olivia Merrill

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Overview

Epigenetics is the study of how organisms are affected by alterations in gene expression rather than base changes in the genetic code. An established epigenetic factor is diet. Food insecurity, as a dietary factor, has been linked to increased generational risk of obesity, and this study intended to determine if an epigenetic correlation exists between a calorically restrictive diet and lipid deposition. In humans, self-induced calorically restrictive dieting is widespread. The most common form of this dietary regimen is intermittent fasting. To simulate intermittent fasting, wild type C. elegans were deprived of a food source for eight hours in each 24 hour period. Wild type C. elegans that experienced no food deprivation/caloric restriction were used as controls. C. elegans store lipids as lipid droplets that can be visualized by a variety of stains and observed with light microscopy. This investigation used a fluorescent stain for lipid droplets and observed the droplets with a Nikon SMZ1:10 stereo microscope and Nightsea™ fluorescence system. Fluorescence intensity was used as a measure of lipid deposition. A cohort of 35 C. elegans experienced intermittent fasting as they developed from L4 stage larva into adults and their offspring make up the F1 cohort. The F1 cohort also experienced intermittent fasting as they developed from L4 stage larva into adults. A F2 cohort was monitored that did not directly experience intermittent fasting. Fluorescence intensity data was collected from a total of 140 randomly selected C. elegans, divided equally between control and experimental groups. Results indicated that 35 randomly selected control worms had a significant 195% increase in lipid deposition (P<0.05) over 35 randomly selected F2 cohort worms produced during the F1 cohort’s second 24 hour period of the intermittent fasting regime. Thirty-five randomly selected control worms had a significant 294% increase in lipid deposition (P<0.05) over 35 randomly selected F2 cohort worms produced during the F1 cohort’s third 24 hour period of the intermittent fasting regime. Methylation analysis and chromatin modification imaging will be valuable to help determine any epigenetic changes that occurred as a result of the intermittent fasting.

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My Story

The first time I heard about epigenetics was in an AP biology lecture. My teacher made an offhand comment about histones and PTSD, and how the world around us can impact the traits we express. I ended up staying after class to ask more questions about epigenetics. While my teacher admitted they didn't have many answers, they suggested I work with the New Hampshire Academy of Science to find answers for myself.

My research took place in summer 2021 (the summer before the start of my senior year) with data analysis and additional study continuing into the school year. I was overjoyed on October 31st when I received conformation that I would become an AJAS fellow-- just one more reason Halloween is the best!

From the student

The Epigenetic Effects of Intermittent Fasting on C. elegans

Mentor: Dr. Kelly Salmon, Dr. Peter Faletra

New Hampshire Academy of Science

A larger version of the diagram on the bottom left is included in the Methods section under the Research tab.

From the student

Many thanks to all who made this research possible!

Wild Type C. elegans were used

Seeded plates were seeded with OP50 E.coli

The Nemametrix RediStain Lipid Stain was used as the florescent lipid dye. It was used according to manufacturer instructions and used in dark tinted tubed

C. elegans were paralyzed for data collection and imagining

A Canon Rebel T5i camera, Nikon SMZ1:10 stereo microscope, and Nightsea™ fluorescence system were used for imaging

A Nightsea microscope hood or black zippered sweatshirt were used to limit ambient light when taking florescence photographs

Picture of imagining setup is included under the Additional Items tab

Images (18)

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Awards (1)

  • AJAS Fellows Badge

Competition history

  • AJAS 2022 Animal Science

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Source: ProjectBoard / American Junior Academy of Science

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