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 chromosome, regulation of genes and apoptosis. Investigations of CR (Calorie Restriction) have given a significant information on the mechanisms that control cell reactions to metabolic variations and how these structures function in synergy towards ensuring a harmonized reaction, chromatin plays a vital part in this process. CFR (Cyclic feeding regime) 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 months old rats. DNA accessibility assay was used as a marker for chromatin condensation using Acridine Orange,DNA accessibility is the ability of A.O 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 lead to a sharp 74% increase and 35% decrease in DNA condensation with 26% and 65% DNA accessibility respectively. They results showed that old animals responded to CFR, with they consecutive fasting regime increasing the chromatin condensation.