Effect of exercise on erythrocyte osmotic fragility in high fat diet fed rats during intermittent fasting

INTRODUCTION: Exercise is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. High fat diets are blamed for various health problems such as cardiovascular diseases. Intermittent fasting is a way of increasing longevity and decreasing certain adverse health conditions. In this study effect of exercise, intermittent fasting and high fat diet on erythrocyte osmotic fragility which is an important marker of erythrocyte integrity.
METHODS: 42 Wistar albino male rats were used in this study. Rats were divided into 7 groups in which each were composed of 6 animals. Exercise was administered 3 times a week. Intermittent fasting was administered 2 times a week (24 without any food in those two days). High fat was given in a high fat diet. Combination of applications was also administered in different groups.
RESULTS: Results state an increase in erythrocyte osmotic fragility due to exercise. High fat or intermittent fasting did not cause in increase in fragility however they did not alleviate increased fragility due to exercise where they are concomitantly administered with exercise.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Intermittent fasting administered solely or with high fat did not change erythrocyte osmotic fragility therefore stating no negative impact of intermittent fasting on this studied parameter. However no protective effect was observed in IF+Exe group. This result can also be interpreted with high impact of Exe in this study on the rats. Studies including molecular mechanism focusing on erythrocyte membrane lipid alterations should be performed to clarify current findings.