Scientists discovered that people with type 2 diabetes struggle to grow new bone, especially in their jaw. They tested a new approach combining special cells (called mesenchymal stromal cells) with periodic fasting—eating normally some days and fasting on others. In diabetic mice, this combination worked much better than cell therapy alone. The fasting helped reduce unhealthy fat in the blood, creating better conditions for bone growth. This research suggests that combining cell treatments with fasting might help diabetic patients who need dental work or jaw bone repair.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether combining special healing cells with periodic fasting could help diabetic mice grow new jaw bone better than using cells alone
  • Who participated: Laboratory mice with type 2 diabetes (created by feeding them a high-fat diet), compared to healthy mice
  • Key finding: Mice that received both cell therapy and periodic fasting grew significantly more new bone in their jaw defects, with better bone quality and stronger bone-building signals, compared to mice receiving only cell therapy
  • What it means for you: This suggests that for diabetic patients needing bone repair or dental work, combining cell-based treatments with fasting periods might be more effective than current approaches. However, this is early research in animals—human studies are needed before this becomes a standard treatment

The Research Details

Researchers created a mouse model of type 2 diabetes by feeding mice a high-fat diet until they developed diabetes-like conditions. They then created jaw bone defects in these diabetic mice and implanted special healing cells called mesenchymal stromal cell aggregates—essentially clusters of cells known for their ability to help tissue repair. Some mice received only the cell implants, while others received the cell implants plus periodic fasting (eating normally on some days, fasting on others). The researchers then measured bone growth, bone quality, and specific markers that indicate bone formation over time. They compared results between the different treatment groups and also compared diabetic mice to healthy mice to understand how diabetes affects bone healing.

This study design is important because it tests a real-world problem: diabetic patients often have poor bone healing. By combining a cellular therapy with a metabolic intervention (fasting), the researchers addressed both the local problem (missing bone) and the systemic problem (unhealthy metabolism from diabetes). This two-pronged approach is more realistic than treating just one aspect of the problem.

This is laboratory research using animal models, which is an important first step but doesn’t directly prove the approach will work in humans. The study appears well-designed with appropriate controls and multiple measurement methods. However, animal studies often don’t translate perfectly to human medicine due to differences in metabolism and physiology. The findings are promising but preliminary.

What the Results Show

Mice with diabetes that received only cell implants showed poor bone growth—the cells didn’t help much because the diabetic environment was too hostile for healing. However, when diabetic mice received both cell implants and periodic fasting, bone growth improved dramatically. The fasting-plus-cells group showed significantly more new bone volume, better bone structure (with less space between bone strands), and higher levels of RUNX2, a key protein that signals bone formation. These improvements brought the diabetic mice much closer to the bone-healing levels seen in healthy mice. The fasting appeared to work by reducing unhealthy fat levels in the blood, creating a better environment for the implanted cells to function and promote bone growth.

The study demonstrated that diabetes alone impairs bone metabolism—even without cell therapy, diabetic mice had worse bone quality than healthy mice. The periodic fasting intervention improved overall metabolic health markers beyond just bone healing. The combination therapy was more effective than either treatment alone, suggesting that addressing both the local tissue problem and the systemic metabolic problem is crucial for successful bone regeneration in diabetic patients.

Previous research showed that mesenchymal stromal cells are promising for bone regeneration in healthy individuals, but their effectiveness drops significantly in diabetic patients due to the unhealthy metabolic environment. This study builds on that knowledge by showing that metabolic interventions like fasting can restore the effectiveness of cell-based therapies. This represents a shift from treating just the tissue defect to treating the whole-body metabolic problem that prevents healing.

This research was conducted only in laboratory mice with artificially induced diabetes, not in actual diabetic patients. Mouse metabolism differs from human metabolism, so results may not translate directly. The study doesn’t specify exactly how many mice were used or provide detailed statistical analysis information. The long-term effects of this combined approach are unknown. The optimal fasting schedule for humans hasn’t been determined. Additionally, the study doesn’t address potential risks or side effects of combining fasting with cell therapy in diabetic patients.

The Bottom Line

This research suggests that combining cell-based bone therapies with periodic fasting may improve outcomes for diabetic patients needing bone regeneration (moderate confidence level—based on animal studies only). However, this approach should not be attempted without medical supervision, as fasting can affect blood sugar management in diabetic patients. Anyone with diabetes considering this approach should consult their doctor first.

This research is most relevant to: diabetic patients who need dental implants or jaw bone repair; dentists and oral surgeons treating diabetic patients; researchers developing new bone regeneration therapies; endocrinologists managing type 2 diabetes complications. People without diabetes or those with type 1 diabetes should not assume these findings apply to them. This is not yet ready for general public use.

In the mouse studies, significant bone growth was observed over several weeks. In humans, bone regeneration typically takes months to years. If this approach eventually reaches human trials, patients would likely need to wait 3-6 months or longer to see meaningful bone growth. The fasting intervention would need to be maintained during this healing period.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • For diabetic users interested in bone health: track fasting periods (duration and frequency), blood sugar levels before and after fasting, and any bone-related symptoms or dental health changes. Monitor energy levels and overall wellness during fasting periods.
  • Users could implement a simple periodic fasting schedule (such as 16:8—fasting for 16 hours, eating during an 8-hour window) under medical supervision, while tracking how it affects their blood sugar control and overall metabolic health markers. This should only be done with doctor approval for diabetic users.
  • Long-term tracking should include: fasting schedule adherence, blood sugar stability, weight changes, energy levels, and any bone or dental health improvements. Users should have regular check-ins with their healthcare provider to ensure the fasting approach is safe and effective for their individual diabetes management.

This research is preliminary laboratory work in mice and has not been tested in humans. Do not attempt periodic fasting or any new bone regeneration therapy without consulting your healthcare provider, especially if you have diabetes or take blood sugar medications. Fasting can significantly affect blood sugar levels and may be dangerous for some diabetic patients. This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always discuss new treatment approaches with your doctor before making any changes to your health regimen.