Intermittent fasting in obese mice reduces mitochondrial dysfunction in colonocytes by suppressing excessive oxidative phosphorylation, decreasing reactive oxygen species production, and enhancing mitophagy, resulting in improved gut barrier integrity and reduced inflammation, with these effects requiring the presence of gut microbiota.

When an obese mouse skips meals regularly, its gut bacteria change and start producing special fats that feed the colon cells. These fats turn on a cleanup system inside the cells that removes broken energy factories, reduces harmful chemicals made by those factories, and strengthens the wall between the gut and the rest of the body. Without these bacteria, none of this happens.