Positive effects of meal frequency and calorie restriction on antioxidant systems in rats

Abstract

INTRODUCTION[|]In living organisms, oxidant and antioxidant systems are in a balance. Reactive products formed continuously by exogenous and endogenous sources are rendered harmless by the antioxidant system. Oxidative stress is an etiological factor in aging and development of various diseases. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of meal frequency and calorie restriction on oxidant-antioxidant systems in rats' serum and tissues. [¤]METHODS[|]9 adult male Wistar albino rats were used for pilot study. 24 adult male Wistar albino rats weighing 200-250 gr were included in the main study. Rats were divided into three groups based on nutrition; the ad libitum group (AL) (n=8), the two meal group (TM) (n=8) and the two meal and calorie restriction group (TM-CR) (n=8). The nutrition regulation was performed in all groups after 4 weeks of pilot study, for 20 weeks, 7 days a week, a total of 60 minutes a meal. Serum and tissues of rats were isolated at the end of experiment. Total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) were determined through Erel method. Oxidative stress index was calculated using the formula (OSI) = TOS/TAS. Liver tissue was examined histopathologically. Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS package program. [¤]RESULTS[|]There were significant differences between AL and TM, AL and TM-CR in adipose tissue TOS and OSI, and between AL and TM in liver TAS of rats (p<0,05). [¤]DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION[|]Calorie restriction and the sparse meal frequency can increase the activity of antioxidants and can reduce oxidative stress. Thus, many diseases caused by oxidative stress can be prevented by correct regulation of feeding.[¤]

Keywords

• nutrition
• meal frequency
• caloric restriction
• oxidant status
• antioxidant status
• rat.