I am using HepG2 and AC16 cell lines. I've heard that some researchers used serum-free media and glucose-free media, but it doesn't quite mimic the hepatic fasting response in mice, at least according to key gene expression changes (gluconeogenesis and fatty acid oxidation genes).
Serum deprivation is a good starting point, but you may need to use well-defined fully syntethic media to exclude certain components. Alternativelly frequent medium changing may reduce the level of cellular debris to be used as nutrient source.
It is quite challenging to exactly mimic fasting in cell culture as a lot of factors are involved. During starvation in human which is 'fasting', food is not available. This means there is no glucose, amino acids, fatty acids or nutrient of any kind supplied. However, there are hormonal stimulations which will act on already stored energy molecules (glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, etc). This could be done to make it more novel than most research on this topic.
To actualize this phenomenon appropriate concentrations of factors (hormone) that stimulate these cells during normal starvation need to be administered to these cells. This treatment conditions will mimic physiological fasting condition.
Most Serum-free culture media contains some level of nutrients which will not mimic 'fasting' conditions. You can order a special DMEM without glucose, amino acids, fatty acids). We have worked on HEK 293 cell line using DMEM but not under fasting conditions. Vary the duration of exposure will be necessary as some researchers have shown that 72 hr exposure is sufficient to show some effects.
I have heard of special starvation media https://www.cellapplications.com/starvation-media
and minimal media too, like MEM.
I have never done this, its just an ideal that came to me from reading Dr Monsi's and Gabor great answers.
But what if you were to use, "used media"?
Transfer from a culture onto a new subculture... vs fresh media?
There would be an increase of waste, but a reduction of nutrients, thus the cells would be starving...
Best!
