Intermittent Fasting as a Non-Invasive Strategy to Mitigate Diabetes-Induced Complications in Rats

Introduction: The global burden of diabetes mellitus is steadily increasing. Abnormal eating patterns and excess energy intake contribute to obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Although dietary modifications such as intermittent fasting have gained attention, evidence supporting their beneficial role in T2DM is limited. Objective: To evaluate the beneficial effects of intermittent fasting on physiological, biochemical, and histological changes in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: Healthy adult Wistar albino rats (150–200 g) were used. Diabetes was induced by administering alloxan (150 mg/kg). Animals were divided into four groups: Normal Control (Group I), Experimental Control (Group II), and Intermittent Fasting groups (Group III & Group IV). Physiological, biochemical, and histological parameters were assessed to determine the impact of intermittent fasting. Results: Intermittent fasting demonstrated a protective effect by reducing diabetes-induced physiological, biochemical, and histological alterations. Rats in the intermittent fasting groups showed improved outcomes compared to the experimental control group. Conclusion: Intermittent fasting may serve as a potential non-invasive strategy to reduce diabetes-related complications. Further studies focusing on molecular mechanisms are warranted to provide deeper insights into its protective role.