Gender-Specific Effects of Alternate-Day Fasting on Body Weight, Oxidative Stress, and Metabolic Health in Middle-Aged Rats

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of alternate-day fasting (ADF) concerning sex as well as its function in systemic and tissue-level oxidative stress alterations associated with aging. Materials and methods: Forty-two female (n=21) and male (n=21) Wistar rats (aged 16 months) were separated into six groups (n=7 each):Group-1 (control-male), Group-2 (1-month,ADF-male), Group-3 (2-month,ADF-male), Group-4 (control-female), Group-5 (1-month,ADF-female), and Group-6 (2-month,ADF-female). The ADF protocol was applied every other day for 24-h of fasting (three days/week). Serum samples were analyzed via ELISA to measure total oxidant-antioxidant status (TOS-TAS), and the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Results: 2-months of ADF treatment reduced body weight (BW) compared compliance control groups (P