Immunostimulatory effect of ketogenic diet in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in adult albino rats

Background The ketogenic diet (KD) is effective to fight obesity and has therapeutic effects on various body systems. Aim/objectives This study aimed to evaluate the role of KD in improving immune response against cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppression in rats. Methods Young adult albino rats (21 male) were divided into three groups: G1 (Cnt), normal control fed on a basal diet; G2 (CTX), injected with CTX and fed on a basal diet; and G3 (Keto), injected with CTX and fed on a ketogenic diet for 4 weeks. Results This study revealed that treatment with CTX decreased serum levels of total protein, albumin, globulin. Administration of CTX also resulted in a significant decrease in catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and a significant increase in the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the spleen. Histopathological examination revealed that CTX caused lymphocyte depletion in the spleen and thymus. Molecularly, CTX significantly downregulated the expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), while it upregulated interleukin 1 beta (IL1b) in the spleen. Co-administration of the ketogenic diet was able to normalize the antioxidant status and most of the biochemical and immunological parameters. Conclusion With these findings, we could conclude that feeding on ketogenic diet could improve the immunity.