Aortic Regeneration is Promoted by Intermittent Fasting in Aged Rats

Abstract

Intermittent fasting (IF) plays important role in health. The regeneration that starts at the cellular level is reflected in all tissues and organs. In this study, molecular changes in the aortic tissue of 12-month-old male Wistar rats that underwent intermittent fasting for 18 hours a day for 35 days were determined by spectrochemical analysis and machine learning algoritm. While IF did not significantly affect body weights or blood glucose levels, it led to increased food and water consumption. Spectrochemical analysis revealed significant differences in the forms of DNA, specifically an increase in the A-DNA form in aortic samples. This form of DNA plays an essential role in cellular defense systems and biological processes. There was also an increase in the Amid I band, providing information about hydration status and lipid molecule interactions. Notably, a significant decrease was observed in protein phosphorylation markers, which could impact a wide range of cellular activities. IF also led to reductions in protein carbonylation, a marker of oxidative damage, and changes in the acyl chain length of fatty acids, impacting membrane fluidity. These findings suggest that IF may offer several health benefits, including improved membrane dynamics, reduced oxidative stress, and potential cellular regeneration through autophagy. Further research is needed to confirm these observations and understand their implications for human health.