Moderate calorie restriction to achieve normal weight reverses β-cell dysfunction in diet-induced obese mice: involvement of autophagy

Background Severe calorie restriction (CR) is shown to improve or even reverse β-cell dysfunction in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, whether mild to moderate CR can reverse β-cell dysfunction induced by obesity and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. Autophagy plays an important role in maintaining mass, architecture and function of β-cells. While the impact of CR on β-cell autophagy is unknown. This study aims to investigate the effects of moderate CR on β-cell function and autophagy activity in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice.