PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF INTERMITTENT FASTING AND PROBIOTICS USAGE ON OXIDATIVE STRESS AND MOLECULAR ALTERATIONS IN AGING LUNG

Abstract

Objective: Aging is associated with increased oxidative stress and diminished cellular repair mechanisms, particularly in the lungs. This study investigates the protective effects of intermittent fasting (IF), SCD probiotics, and their combination on oxidative stress and molecular alterations in the lungs of aging rats. Materials and Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats (24 months old) were divided into four groups: control, intermittent fasting, probiotics, and a combination of both treatments. Malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were measured as markers of oxidative stress. Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy was employed to detect molecular changes in lung tissues. Results: Our findings demonstrated that both IF and probiotics, individually and in combination, reduced the MDA and AOPP levels, as well as MPO activity, compared to the control group, indicating a reduction in oxidative stress. Spectral analyses revealed molecular changes in lipid composition, protein conformation and oxidation, as well as phosphodiester groups of nucleic acids. The highest classification accuracy (93.18%) was obtained in the 1300-800 cm-1 region by LDA analysis. Conclusion: Intermittent fasting and probiotics may ameliorate age-related oxidative damage in the lungs and offer promising therapeutic potential for maintaining lung health in aging populations.