Physiological and Immunological Changes in Experimentally-Induced Starvation in Rats

Abstract

This study aims to experimental induction of starvation in rats and investigation of its effect on concentrations of blood antioxidants and immune markers using the quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In total, 32 female rats were purchased, acclimated for one week, and divided equally into NC (negative control) and EG (experimental group). In NC, rats were fed and drank normally, while in EG, rats received half the quantity of feed. After 28 days, direct blood was collected, and the obtained sera were tested by ELISA to measurement the concentrations of antioxidants (catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase), lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde), and immune markers (interleukin-4 and interferon-γ). In comparison to values of antioxidants and immune markers of NC, the results of EG were shown a significant reduction in catalase (126.88 ± 8.11 pg/ml), glutathione peroxidase (0.776 ± 0.03 IU/ml), superoxide dismutase (1.195 ± 0.07 U/ml), and interferon-γ (20.11 ± 0.84 pg/ml); while, there was significant elevation in values malondialdehyde (197.87 ± 7.71 ng/ml) and interleukin-4 (57.11 ± 2.44 pg/ml). In conclusion, the results of our experiment showed that starvation caused oxidative stress in rats, which resulted in a lower rate of antioxidants (catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase) and a higher rate of malondialdehyde. The feed restriction also influenced the immune system through the lower level of interferon-γ and higher level of interleukin-4. Further studies are of great importance to indicate the effect of starvation on other physiological and immunological markers as well as on the health status of body tissues/organs