Evaluation of Bone Fracture Healing in Rats Subjected to Experimental Intermittent Fasting

Abstract

Intermittent fasting has gained recognition as a promising approach for weight reduction and metabolic health enhancement; however, its impact on bone health remains insufficiently understood. In the present study, the impact of intermittent fasting on bone healing was histopathologically investigated using an experimental fracture model in rat tibiae. Sixteen female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: a control group (n=8) and a fasting group (n=8). In the all group, bone cuts were performed on the right tibia using a rotating steel disc under serum cooling. The rats in fasting group underwent intermittent fasting three days per week for an eight-week experimental setup. Intermittent fasting was applied every other day (food intake was allowed on one day, food intake was not allowed on the next day, and water intake was allowed), and the rats were allowed free access to water. At the end of the eight-week experimental setup, all rats were euthanized. The tibia bone tissue containing the bone cut was removed, decalcified, and subjected to histopathological analysis. Histopathological analysis demonstrated that the newly formed bone tissue within the healing callus of the fasting group was more homogeneously and densely distributed than that of the control group. Quantitative assessment demonstrated that the difference in new bone formation between the fasting and control groups was not statistically significant (p=0.084).