It is well documented that dietary restriction can prevent many different diseases and extend the life spans of different rodent species. In the previous study, we reported that intermittent fasting (IF) as well as moderate dietary restriction ameliorated the allergic dermatitis in ICR mice. In the present study, we demonstrated the ameliorative effects of IF on allergic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice, a strain known as a model for atopic dermatitis. Interestingly, the total number of CD4+CD8+ double positive thymocyte in mice after IF significantly decreased in comparison to that in mice fed ad libitum. Although it was reported that an immunosuppressive compound inhibited the contact allergic response by inducing the CD4+CD25+ regulatory T-cells, IF did not affect regulatory T cells in the present study. These results suggested that CD4+CD8+ double positive thymocytes play an important role in the regulation of allergy by IF in NC/Nga mice.
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