EFFECT OF DIURNAL INTERMITTENT FASTING (DIF) ON ANTIOXIDANT AND PRO INFLAMMATORY MEDIATORS ACTIVITY IN MALE RAT MODEL...

Area of Science:

• Metabolic disorders
• Endocrinology
• Nutritional science

Background:

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic condition marked by hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
• Diurnal intermittent fasting (DIF), aligned with circadian rhythms, is a potential strategy for metabolic disorders.
• Controlled animal study evidence for DIF in T2DM is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of DIF on glycemic control, oxidative stress, and inflammation in a T2DM rat model.
• To compare the efficacy of different DIF frequencies (2, 3, and 6 days/week).

Main Methods:

• Thirty-six male Wistar rats were used, with T2DM induced using streptozotocin and nicotinamide.
• Rats were divided into a diabetic control group and three DIF groups (2, 3, or 6 days/week).
• Blood glucose was monitored weekly; serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured at study end.

Main Results:

• DIF significantly reduced blood glucose levels across all intervention groups compared to controls (p < 0.05).
• The 6-day DIF group exhibited the highest SOD activity and the most substantial IL-6 reduction (p < 0.05).
• Glycemic improvement showed a plateau between 3 and 6 days/week of DIF.

Conclusions:

• DIF demonstrates potential as a complementary therapy for T2DM by improving glycemic control.
• DIF enhances antioxidant defenses (increased SOD) and reduces systemic inflammation (IL-6 suppression) in T2DM.
• Further research is necessary to optimize DIF regimens and assess human applicability.