Journal September 25, 2026 6 min read

What markers track intermittent fasting?

A research-supply overview of the biomarkers and clinical endpoints used to monitor intermittent fasting in laboratory and clinical studies, including glycemic, lipid, inflammatory, mitochondrial, and oral markers.

peptides-pro Editorial

Intermittent fasting (IF) is an umbrella term for eating patterns that cycle between periods of fasting and eating. Common synonyms include time-restricted feeding (TRF), time-restricted eating (TRE), alternate-day fasting, and Ramadan dry fasting. The class of interventions is dietary, not pharmacological; no single sequence, formula, or molecular weight applies. Identifiers in the evidence include ClinicalTrials.gov records NCT04760847, NCT07638696, NCT07606872, NCT07202247, NCT07031596, NCT07826065, NCT06630637, and NCT06597708.

The work centres on metabolic and inflammatory signalling pathways, including insulin sensitivity, GLP-1 receptor signalling, leptin receptor (LepRb) regulation, and mitochondrial quality-control pathways such as mitophagy.

Research Studies

Intermittent fasting and pancreatitis-related quality of life

A clinical trial is comparing intermittent fasting with a standard diet approach for improving quality of life related to pancreas disease. The stated hope is to improve symptoms and prevent pancreas-related hospitalisation [1].

Mitophagy and mitochondrial DNA dynamics during Ramadan dry fasting versus 16:8 time-restricted feeding

A study is investigating how different fasting types affect cellular health, specifically how mitochondria are cleared and renewed. Ramadan dry fasting involves total restriction of food and fluids from dawn to sunset, whereas standard intermittent fasting allows water intake. Researchers want to see whether the combined effects of fluid restriction and natural daily body rhythms during Ramadan trigger a stronger cellular cleanup process (mitophagy) compared with standard 16:8 water-permitted fasting. The study will look at how these fasting habits change blood markers related to mitochondrial DNA and metabolic health across a 30-day period [2].

Snouda Metabolic Score and phenotyping in type 2 diabetes

A study tests a tool called the Snouda Metabolic Score (SMS) that helps identify specific metabolic problems driving type 2 diabetes in each patient. The SMS classifies patients into metabolic phenotypes based on patterns of dysfunction across five body systems: insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, hormonal disruption, gut microbiome imbalance, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Once classified, each participant follows a personalised 24-week lifestyle and nutritional protocol targeting their specific phenotype, including dietary changes, structured exercise, and targeted nutritional supplementation [3].

Time-restricted eating, GLP1 receptor agonists, and heart-healthy diet in prostate cancer patients during androgen deprivation therapy

A phase II trial compares time-restricted eating and GLP1 receptor agonists (semaglutide and tirzepatide) with an American Heart Association heart-healthy diet intervention on cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes in prostate cancer patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Prostate cancer patients receiving ADT are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, thought to be due to treatment-related metabolic changes that may result in increased weight, body fat, insulin resistance, and increased risk [4].

Probiotic preparation and weight cycling

A study evaluates the potential of probiotics in obesity management, specifically their impact on weight regain after caloric restriction. Gut microbiota play a critical role in weight management, and probiotics may reduce weight regain by modulating appetite and metabolism. Studies suggest probiotics enhance satiety and reduce appetite [5].

Intermittent fasting versus frequent feeding strategies in obese women

A study compared the effects of a 12-week 16:8 time-restricted feeding plus home-based exercise protocol with a calorie-restricted standard diet plus home-based exercise protocol on body composition, lipid profile, glycemic control, and liver function enzyme levels in obese women [6].

Wearable technology and N-of-1 monitoring of intermittent fasting

A prospective N-of-1 study investigates the effects of a human optimisation programme on an individual's metabolic health and overall well-being. The research examines correlations between continuous glucose monitoring and other metrics. Intermittent fasting is noted as potentially reducing systemic inflammation and helping to prevent chronic diseases, and IF research may help athletes sustain performance during fasting periods [7].

Keto diet and intermittent fasting: oral health and salivary inflammatory biomarkers

A study investigates the impact of short-term keto diet and intermittent fasting on oral health by measuring the severity of periodontal diseases (gingivitis) and oral health status (plaque index), as well as levels of C-reactive protein, IL-6, TNF-α, and LL-37 peptide in saliva, and salivary flow and pH. The objectives include evaluating the impact of these dietary patterns on oral health among the Iraqi population and assessing changes in inflammatory biomarkers within study groups before and after the intervention [8].

Alternate-day fasting and leptin sensitivity

Preclinical work reports that alternate-day fasting enhances leptin sensitivity via JMJD3-dependent epigenetic regulation of the leptin receptor in the hypothalamus. Leptin resistance is characterised by diminished responsiveness to leptin and disrupted energy homeostasis. Transcriptional repression of the leptin receptor (LepRb) is a critical defect that impairs downstream signal transduction [9].

Intermittent fasting and gut-endocrine axis responses to Senna alexandrina in obese rats

In obese rats, intermittent fasting amplified gut-endocrine axis responses to Senna alexandrina supplementation. Obesity induced by high-fat, high-sucrose diets disrupts lipid metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and gut microbial balance. These disturbances underscore the need for interventions capable of restoring metabolic regulation [10].

Markers and endpoints compared across studies

Marker or endpoint	Study population / model	Fasting intervention	Source
Pancreatitis-related quality of life and hospitalisation	Patients with pancreas disease	Intermittent fasting vs standard diet	[1]
Mitochondrial DNA and metabolic markers	Participants observing Ramadan	Ramadan dry fasting vs 16:8 time-restricted feeding	[2]
Metabolic phenotype (insulin resistance, inflammation, hormonal disruption, gut microbiome imbalance, mitochondrial dysfunction)	Type 2 diabetes patients	Personalised 24-week lifestyle and nutritional protocol	[3]
Cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes	Prostate cancer patients on androgen deprivation therapy	Time-restricted eating vs GLP1 receptor agonists vs heart-healthy diet	[4]
Weight regain, appetite, satiety	Weight cyclers	Probiotic preparation	[5]
Body composition, lipid profile, glycemic control, liver enzymes	Obese women	16:8 time-restricted feeding vs calorie-restricted standard diet	[6]
Continuous glucose monitoring and metabolic health metrics	Individual (N-of-1)	Human optimisation programme including intermittent fasting	[7]
Salivary C-reactive protein, IL-6, TNF-α, LL-37, plaque index, gingivitis, salivary flow and pH	Iraqi population	Keto diet vs intermittent fasting	[8]
Leptin sensitivity, LepRb expression	Hypothalamus (preclinical)	Alternate-day fasting	[9]
Gut-endocrine axis responses	Obese rats	Intermittent fasting plus Senna alexandrina	[10]

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