Fasting ameliorates metabolism, immunity, and oxidative stress in carbon tetrachloride-intoxicated rats

Abstract

<jats:sec><jats:title>Background:</jats:title><jats:p> Fasting has been recently discovered to improve overall health, but its beneficial effects in the presence of hepatic insufficiency have not been proven. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Aim:</jats:title><jats:p> The influence of fasting on the metabolism, immunological aspects, and oxidative stress of 40 male carbon tetrachloride (CCl<jats:sub>4</jats:sub>)-intoxicated Wistar rats was investigated in the present study. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods:</jats:title><jats:p> The rats were divided into four groups, including a placebo group, CCl<jats:sub>4</jats:sub>-intoxicated rats, which were injected subcutaneously with 1.0 ml/kg of CCl<jats:sub>4</jats:sub> solution, a fasting group, which was fasted 12 h/day for 30 days, and a fourth group, which was injected with CCl<jats:sub>4</jats:sub> and fasted. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results:</jats:title><jats:p> The metabolism, immunity, and oxidative stress improved in CCl<jats:sub>4</jats:sub>-intoxicated rats fasted for 12 h/day for 30 days, as evidenced in significant increase ( p &lt; 0.05) in total protein, globulin, immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG levels, and total antioxidant capacity. In contrast, significant decrease ( p &lt; 0.05) in blood glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, C-reactive protein, and malondialdehyde levels were observed. Compared with CCl<jats:sub>4</jats:sub>-intoxicated rats, significant differences in the albumin, triacylglycerol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, cardiovascular risk factor, calcium and magnesium levels were not detected. </jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusions:</jats:title><jats:p> The results of the present study showed that fasting improved metabolism, immunity, and oxidative stress in CCl<jats:sub>4</jats:sub>-intoxicated rats. Thus, fasting during Ramadan is safe for patients with hepatic disorders, as the prophet Mohammed (S) said “Keep the fast, keep your health”. </jats:p></jats:sec>

Molecular hepatoprotective effects of lipoic acid against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats

“…In support of our results, it was previously found that CCl 4 augmented lipid peroxidation in liver of rats. 18 As previously noticed by Naaz et al, 21 the increase in LPO concentration might be returned to the hindrance of enzymatic antioxidants (e.g. GSH-P X activity) and the consumption of non-enzymatic antioxidants (e.g.…”

“…SOD, CAT, and GSH-P X are the important antioxidant enzymes responsible for removing free radicals in cells. Sadek and Saleh 18 reported that the administration of CCl 4 significantly decreased the total antioxidant capacity and antioxidant enzyme activities in the serum of fasted rats. We recently reported that α-LA enhanced the antioxidant capability of GSH-P X enzymes and elevated the GSH content in the livers of broiler chickens fed aflatoxicosis diets and diabetic rats, respectively.…”

“…The initiation of oxidative stress is generally linked to a perturbation between the oxidant and antioxidant systems. It has been found that CCl 4 can promote the generation of free radicals, 18 revealing that there is an oxidative pathway involved in CCl 4 -induced toxicity. SOD, CAT, and GSH-P X are the important antioxidant enzymes responsible for removing free radicals in cells.…”

Ramadan intermittent fasting and immunity: An important topic in the era of COVID-19

“…Forty male carbon tetrachloride-intoxicated Wistar rats were exposed to RIF mimicking model, and the results showed significant reductions in CRP and MDA parameters for OS. [ 49 ] In a similar RIF mimicking model, Shawky et al . showed that IF caused a considerable increase in neutrophil phagocytic activity, phagocytic index, and brain neurotransmitters (norepinephrine and serotonin).…”

Metabolomic analysis of serum from rats following long-term intake of Chinese sausage

“…This approach has been used to identify serum principal metabolites and investigate the mechanism of exogenous material on organisms ( 21 – 24 ). In animal hepatotoxicity studies, toxic chemicals such as carbon tetrachloride ( 25 ), organophosphorus pesticide ( 26 ), and NDEA ( 27 ) significantly disrupted the level of several metabolites in blood, including arachidonic acid, lysophosphatidyl ethanolamines, and phosphatidylcholine. A metabolomic study of hepatotoxicity induced by chlorpyrifos and cadmium found that chlorpyrifos and cadmium could disrupt the energy, amino acid, and fatty acid metabolism in rat liver ( 28 ).…”