Objective: 

Ischemia and reperfusion induced arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation are one of the most important causes of death in myocardial ischemia in human being. That is why, it is important to find factors increasing resistance against myocardial ischemia. It has been demonstrated that intermittent fasting without water restriction increases life span and reduces myocardial infarct size. There could not be found any research related with the effect of either intermittent fasting or water restriction on the ischemia and reperfusion induced arrhythmias in rats.

Methods: 

In this study, thirty male rats in 8–9 months old were used. Six minutes ischemia was produced by ligation of left coronary artery which was followed by six minute reperfusion by releasing of this artery. Control group was fed ad libitum. IFW1 group was subjected to intermittent fasting and water restriction between 8 pm and 8 am for one month. IFW2 group was maintained one month intermittent fasting and water restriction followed by one month normal feeding. Electrocardiogram (ECG) and arterial blood pressure were recorded during ischemia and reperfusion.

Results: 

There was no significant difference in arrhythmia score calculated from duration and type of arrhythmia among groups. But arrhythmic period during ischemia in IFW1 was longer in respect to other groups (p<0.05). The incidence of arrhythmias in IFW2 group nonsignificantly and risk of infarct zone significantly increased compared to other groups.

Conclusions: 

It was found that the intermittent fasting and water restriction that is simulation of an experimental model of Ramadan fasting did not have any effect on the severity of arrhythmia induced by ischemia and reperfusion.