Changes in the Parameters of the Antioxidant Defense System in Rats During Intermittent Fasting

Introduction. Starvation has significant effects on rodents in the wild, affecting their physiology, behavior, and survival. Food scarcity can lead to decreased fertility, reduced resistance to infections, altered neurotransmitter balance in the brain, and diminished physical endurance. Intermittent fasting affects the antioxidant defense system and the content of reactive oxygen species in the brain and may underlie the mechanisms of changes in the resistance of rodents to various influences, which is of great practical importance.

The aim of this study was to determine gender differences in the effects of intermittent fasting on the antioxidant system in Wistar rats.

Materials and Methods. The study used an intermittent fasting model, in which animals in the experimental group (n = 13) were given access to food for one hour daily for 4 days, while control animals (n = 13) were kept in ad libitum conditions. After the end of the intermittent fasting period, the animals were euthanized and blood was collected, followed by measurement of the parameters of the antioxidant defense system of the blood and blood plasma.

Results. Statistical analysis revealed no changes in total plasma antioxidant activity after intermittent fasting in either male or female rats. However, a significant increase in the level of ceruloplasmin in the blood of experimental animals was observed in both male (by 32,5%; p < 0,01) and female rats (by 18,5%; p < 0,05). Blood catalase activity did not change after intermittent fasting in male and female rats. The activity of superoxide dismutase (third isoform) contained in the blood plasma of animals changed significantly only in females after intermittent fasting (a decrease of 24%; p < 0,05).

Study limitations. The study aimed to investigate the biochemical parameters of rat blood during dietary changes and is of interest to specialists in the relevant field.

Conclusion. Thus, intermittent fasting for 4 days leads to a change in the state of the antioxidant defense system in rodents, and the change in the activity of superoxide dismutase (third isoform) is gender-specific. This change in the antioxidant status of animals may underlie the decrease in resistance to various negative influences during intermittent fasting.

Ethics approval. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Disinfectology Institute of the Federal Scientific Center of Hygiene named after F.F. Erisman (No. 2¹, 06.05.2025), conducted in accordance with the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes (ETS N 123), the Directive of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.

Contribution:
Baizhumanov A.A. — collection of materials; data processing, writing the text;
Abrashitov G.N. — collection of materials; data processing;
Khirazova E.E. — editing;
Komarov V.Yu. — editing.
All co-authors — approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article.

Funding source. This study was not supported by any external sources of funding.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no apparent or potential conflicts of interest related to the publication of this article.

Received: 07.07.2025 / Accepted: 24.07.2026 / Published: 10.08.2026

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