Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Time-Restricted Feeding

Study Description:

Fasting and caloric restriction interventions have anti-inflammatory effects, although the underling regulatory controls are poorly characterized. This pilot study will explore transcriptional profiles in various leukocyte populations comparing the effect of time restricted feeding (TRF - 6-Hr feeding/18-Hr fast) to a more conventional dietary regimen (12-Hr feeding/12Hr fast). These regulatory effects will be evaluated in an inflammatory disease (psoriasis) in response to TRF and by comparing the relative response comparing the psoriasis population to a matched TRF control group.

Objectives:

• Evaluate the effect of TRF on Th17 immunological signatures.
• Compare the role of TRF on chromatin remodeling on CD4+ T cells, monocytes and neutrophils comparing control and

psoriatic subjects.

• Evaluate the effect of TRF on glucose and insulin metabolism and overall metabolic flexibility.

Endpoints:

The primary outcome will be the change in the secretion of IL-17 from activated CD4+ T cells from baseline to the end of TRF as a measure of biological reprograming in the psoriasis group and to assess the change in IL-17 release comparing the effects of TRF in the control versus psoriasis groups.

Secondary outcomes are:

• Evaluate the effect of TRF on chromatin signatures of gene activation (ATACseq) and gene silencing (H3K9me3).
• Explore the effect of TRF on low-density granulocytes, neutrophils and monocytes.
• Evaluate whether TRF improves 24-hour glucose levels, glycemic excursions during a meal test and modulate sleeping

and feeding metabolic flexibility as defined by the change in sleeping respiratory exchange ratio from the daytime. (24-hr

substrate oxidation as defined by the averaged RER)

• INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Individuals must meet the inclusion criteria listed below in order to be eligible to participate in the study.

• Males between the ages of 18 and 80 with mild to moderate active psoriasis by PASI score for inclusion in psoriasis group
• Age (plus or minus 10 yrs) and BMI (plus or minus 5 kg/m^2) matched control male subjects for inclusion in the control group.
• Ability to provide informed consent
• Willingness and ability to participate in study procedures

Exclusion criteria

• Severe psoriasis by PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) score > 12
• Treatment with systemic biologic immune modifying agents within the last 2 months.
• Currently on treatment for allergies or other inflammatory diseases.
• Has taken Vitamin B or tryptophan supplementation within 2 weeks of participation.
• Unwillingness/inability to provide informed consent.
• Individuals with known history of type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus or other metabolic conditions that would interfere with study parameters including chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, history of hypoglycemia
• On treatment with medication that would interfere with study parameters including anti-hyperglycemic medications, systemic steroids, adrenergic-stimulating agents, other medications known to affect sleep, circadian rhythms or metabolism.
• Caffeine in excess of three 8 oz cups per day.
• Factors that affect circadian rhythm including individuals who perform overnight shift work, irregular sleep and/ or eating schedules, regularly fast for more than 15 hours/ day
• Regular use of tobacco product within last 3 months.
• Consuming more than 3 servings of alcohol/ day
• Engaged in competitive sports training
• Moderate to severe claustrophobia
• Unstable weight with more than 5% body weight change in last 3 months
• Food allergies or intolerances or dietary patterns that would prohibit consumption of the metabolic diet or mixed meal test.