Intermittent Fasting Improves Some Serum Proteins: a Study on Rats Model

Abstract

Backgroud: There are approximately 100,000 proteins in humans with various physiological functions. The study of proteome in relation to calorie intake is expected to play an important role in solving major aging-associated problems in humans, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Objective: To study the changes in serum proteins in young and old rats that were intermittently fasted. Method: 3 and 19 months old rats were intermittently fasted, Every 48 hours. The weights of both young and old rats were taken before feeding, while the young rats received 4g per 100g of body mass the adult rats received 1.75g per 100g of body mass for 14 days. Consecutively both young and old rats received a fattening ration of 25g feed ad lithium every 24 hours irrespective of age for 14 days. Throughout the experiment, animals were kept in individual cages with free access to water. Blood samples were collected after cervical dislocation. The blood serum was then analysed on SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. Results: Apolipoprotein A1 sharply increased in young rats during refeeding periods. Immunoglobulin light chains (lambda and kappa) levels increased during starvation in young rats. Apolipoprotein E levels in young animals was initially high during first cycle of starvation, Also In young animals alpha1-macroglobulin was observed to be high following starvation. In young animals apoA-4 increased during the first cycle of feeding. In young animals the levels of alpha1-antitrypsin flunctuated between the period of starvation and feeding, With higher levels been observed during starvation. In old rats after the first, Second intermittent fasting and second refeeding, Apo E, Apo A-4 and Apo A1 increased, While other serum proteins remained suppressed. Conclusion: The intermittent fasting in young and adult experimental animals, induced adaptive stress by upregulating and downregulating some serum proteins.