Low carbohydrate high protein diet reduces levels of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in rats (rattus norvegicus)

The purpose of this study is to explain the effect of a low-carbohydrate-high-protein (LCHP) diet on reducing TNF-α levels. The study was carried out with true experimental post-test only control design, using 3-month-old females rats (Rattus norvegicus) with a bodyweight of 200-300 g, which were divided into three groups: Negative control (K-) (rats without treatment were fed with broiler standard feed), Positive control (K+) (PCOS-IR model rats were fed broiler standard feed), and Treatment (P) (PCOS-IR model mice were fed with LCHP diet). Serum taken from the rats’ heart on day 49 was examined for TNF-α levels using Bioassay Germany ELISA kit. Statistical analysis was carried out using ANOVA and Post Hoc tests. ANOVA analysis of TNF-α resulted in a p value of 0.0017, indicating significant difference of TNF-α levels when LCHP diet was applied, followed by Post Hoc test found that the TNF-α level of the treatment group (p = 0.006) is lower than the positive control group (p = 0.038). One of the roles of a low-carbohydrate diet in the pathogenesis of PCOS-IR is to provide an inflammatory repair effect by increasing insulin sensitivity, improving insulin levels, and stimulating an increase in steroidogenesis synthesis. Increased breakdown of fatty acids is inhibited, so that it does not cause a build-up of fatty acids and does not induce an increase in proinflammatory cytokines against gonadotropins, increasing FSH secretion and effecting follicular development.