Protective Effects of Intermittent Fasting and Probiotics Usage on Oxidative Stress and Molecular Alterations in Aging Lung

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. Oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, were measured. Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy was employed to detect molecular changes in lung tissues. Results: Our findings demonstrated that both intermittent fasting and probiotics, individually and combined, significantly reduced MDA, AOPP, and MPO levels compared to the control group, indicating reduced oxidative stress. Spectral analysis indicated marked alterations in the profiles of lipid, protein, and nucleic acid, with machine learning methods identifying distinct bimolecular patterns in the treated groups. 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.