A large number of studies have shown an association between cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. Moreover, seizures which are common conditions in epilepsy, may induce a variety of transient cardiac effects. Intermittent fasting (IF) is one of the dietary restriction protocol which have shown in recent studies that have potential benefits to lose weight and to improve on other heart disease risk factors. We aimed to elucidate the cardiac and aortic protective effects of IF in rats with epilepsy in terms of gender difference.

Female (n=5, in each group) and male (n=5, in each group) rats (10 weeks old) were randomly divided into 3 groups as control (Wistar Albino rats), GAERS (genetic absence epilepsy rats), and GAERS + IF. Rats were deprived of food for a full day, every other day and were fed ad libitum on the intervening day for 1 month in IF groups. 

At the end of the experiment the passive avoidance test (PAT) was performed to investigate the 24 hours of retention. The cardiac and aortic tissues were obtained to measure the oxidative stress and antioxidant parameters. Animal care and procedures were followed in accordance with the guidelines of Institutional Animal Ethical Committee. The data were analysed using one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey test. The non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test was applied when appropriate. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Compared to control rats in both sexes, elevated cardiac myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels with decreased superoxide dismutase, glutathione and catalase levels in the GAERS groups (p<0.05, 0.01), which were reversed by IF not only in female rats but also in male rats in MPO, MDA and catalase levels (p<0.05). Also the aortic antioxidant levels also prevented with IF in GAERS rats as compared to GAERS group in both sexes. The GAERS group demonstrated a significant memory impairment in PAT in both sexes as compared to the control group (p<0.05). The PAT score was slightly increased in the GAERS+IF group, it was not statistically significant. 

The IF application diminished the cardiovascular functions with a prevented oxidant and antioxidant balance, and also eased the memory loss. Taken together, more research is needed to elucidate how IF influences the metabolism of cardiac functions and the relationship between sexes.