Non-fasting Group Research Articles

The effect of Ramadan fasting on thyroid hormones in 9‐13 years old pre‐menarche girls

Introduction: Muslims fast from dawn to dusk during Ramadan. The effects of prolonged food deprivation on endocrine hormones have been studied in healthy adults but no previous study has investigated this effect on children. This study aimed to evaluate the feasible changes in serum level of thyroxin (T3), tetraiodothyronin (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and body composition in pre-menarche girls. Methods: This cohort study was performed through Ramadan 2012. We enrolled fifty-eight 9-13years old girls (weight 34.20±7.96 kg, height 142.01±7.76 cm) in two groups from (31 and 27 in fasted and non-fasted groups, respectively) prior to Ramadan until afterwards. Weight and height of the subjects were measured using standard methods, and then Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. Body composition was measured using Bio Impedance Analyzer (BIA) method. Serum concentrations of T3, T4 and TSH hormones were measured by Radio Immunoassay (RIA). Paired t-test was used to compare result of each group before and after Ramadan. Independent t-test was used to compare two groups together. Tanner intervention variable was controlled by generalized linear models intervening test. SPSS.11 software was used for data analysis. Results: Ramadan fasting induces a significant decrease in BMI and weight on fasted group (p=0.005, p=0.044, respectively) while a significant increase was observed in non-fasted group (p<0.001). Although, T3 decreased significantly by fasting (p<0.001), it remained in the normal range. Hence, T4 decreased and TSH increased slightly in both groups. Conclusions: According to our findings, despite a significant reduction of T3 in fasting group, variation in thyroid hormones level remained in the normal range during Ramadan fasting.

Apports alimentaires durant le mois de ramadan chez le patient diabétique de type 2 marocain

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the daily dietary intake of type 2 diabetes patients attending Mohamed VI hospital in Marrakech during Ramadan 2010. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected by interview, and qualitative and quantitative food intake, based on French nutritional tables, was assessed by a dietician. Of the 71 patients recruited, 55% were fasting. The average age of participants was 56.3 (SD 11,2) years. There were no statistically significant clinical differences between the fasting and nonfasting groups except for overweight/obesity and insulin dependence, which were more prevalent in the nonfasting group. The mean total daily caloric intake was significantly lower in the fasting than nonfasting group [1447.5 (SD 756.3) versus 1919.0 (SD 823.4) Kcal/d], as was the carbohydrate, lipid and protein intake. Carbohydrate intake was 57% and 56% of total calories. Overall during Ramadan the diet of the fasting group was calorie deficient and inadequate while for non-fasters it was excessive, which put them at risk of complications. Nutritional education may be needed for diabetic patients for Ramadan.

Effect of Fasting for Ramadan on Kidney Graft Function During the Hottest Month of the Year (August) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

To assess the effect of fasting Ramadan during the hottest month of the year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This prospective cohort study was performed at the King Fahd National Guard Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We used the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula to estimate the glomerular filtration rate in renal transplant patients who fasted and did not fast before and after Ramadan. There were 43 fasters and 37 nonfasters of comparable ages, with fasters having longer posttransplant times compared with nonfasters (P = .0001). The 2 groups had similar mean estimated glomerular filtration rates before Ramadan: 75.6 ± 29.2 and 65.9 ± 25.9 mL/min (P = .1) and similar mean estimated glomerular filtration rates 6 months after Ramadan: 77.2 ± 29.7 and 64.1 ± 29 mL/min (P = .21). Mean changes in the estimated glomerular filtration rate were similar in the 2 groups: -1.5 ± 10.9 and -2.8 ± 19.3 (P = .7) as was the percentage change (-0.2.2 ± 13.4 and 1.8 ± 15.9; P = .4). In the fasting group, serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate were similar before and 6 months after Ramadan: 105.1 ± 55 and 105.14 ± 61 μmol/L (P = 1.0) and 75.6 ± 29 and 72.2 ± 29.7 mL/min (P = .36). No significant changes were observed in the nonfasting group. No significant differences were detected regarding fasting in the estimated glomerular filtration rate before and 6 months after Ramadan in the 3 groups with the low, moderate, and high glomerular filtration rates at baseline. Fasting for Ramadan in August does not adversely affect graft function at a mean follow-up of 7.6 ± 1.3 months.

Ablation of gp78 in Liver Improves Hyperlipidemia and Insulin Resistance by Inhibiting SREBP to Decrease Lipid Biosynthesis

gp78 is a membrane-anchored ubiquitin ligase mediating the degradation of HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) and Insig-1. As a rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, HMGCR undergoes rapid sterol-promoted degradation. In contrast, destruction of Insig-1 releases its inhibition on SREBP and stimulates the expression of lipogenic genes. Thus, gp78 has opposite effects on lipid biosynthesis. We here generated liver-specific gp78 knockout (L-gp78(-/-)) mice and showed that although the degradation of HMGCR was blunted, SREBP was suppressed due to the elevation of Insig-1/-2, and therefore the lipid biosynthesis was decreased. The L-gp78(-/-) mice were protected from diet-/age-induced obesity and glucose intolerance. The livers of L-gp78(-/-) mice produced more FGF21, which activated thermogenesis in brown adipocytes and enhanced energy expenditure. Together, the major function of gp78 in liver is regulating lipid biosynthesis through SREBP pathway. Ablation of gp78 decreases the lipid levels and increases FGF21, and is beneficial to patients with metabolic diseases.

Injury rates in professional soccer players during Ramadan

Many of the socio-cultural lifestyle and dietary changes that take place during Ramadan may affect the risk of injury in athletes, but little evidence is available. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects over two consecutive years of the holy month of Ramadan on injury rates in 42 professional players of a Tunisian top-level professional soccer team. Players were retrospectively organized into fasting and non-fasting groups and monitored for 3 months: 4 weeks before Ramadan, during the month of Ramadan (4 weeks), and 4 weeks after Ramadan each year. During Ramadan, training started at 22.00 h. The circumstances (training/match) and mechanism of injury (traumatic/overuse) were recorded. No significant differences between the three periods were observed for weekly mean training load, training strain, training duration, and Hooper's Index (quality of sleep, and quantities of stress, delayed-onset muscle soreness, and fatigue). Compared with non-fasting players, fasters had a lower (P < 0.05) Hooper's Index and stress during and after Ramadan. No significant difference in injury rates was observed between fasting and non-fasting players. Nevertheless, the rates of non-contact (6.8 vs. 0.6 and 1.1) and training overuse (5.6 vs. 0.6 and 0.5) injuries were significantly higher in fasting players during the month of Ramadan than before or after Ramadan. In conclusion, Ramadan, along with the corresponding changes in nutritional habits, sleeping schedule, and socio-cultural and religious events, significantly increased overuse and non-contact injuries in fasting players despite the fact that the training load, strain, and duration were maintained.

Effect of fasting on laryngopharyngeal reflux disease in male subjects

To address the effect of fasting on laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD). A total of 22 male subjects have been recruited for this study. Subjects with vocal fold pathologies, recent history of upper respiratory tract infection or laryngeal manipulation were excluded. Demographic data included age and history of smoking. All subjects were evaluated while fasting for at least 12h and non-fasting. By non-fasting we mean that they ate and drank during the day at their discretion with no reservation. The abstention from water and or food intake during the non-fasting period extended from few minutes to 3h. All subjects were evaluated at the same time during the day. The evaluation consisted of a laryngeal examination and the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI). The Reflux Finding Score (RFS) was used to report on the reflux laryngeal findings. Subjects were considered to have LPRD if either the RSI or the RFS were positive (>9RSI, >7RFS). There was a non-significant increase in the total prevalence of LPRD while fasting compared to non-fasting (32 vs. 50% while fasting, p value 0.361). In the RSI, the most common symptoms while non-fasting and fasting were throat clearing (64 vs. 68%), postnasal drip (45 vs. 59%) and globus sensation (36 vs. 50%). The average score of all the three increased significantly while fasting. For the RFS the most common laryngeal findings in the non-fasting group versus the fasting group were erythema (77 vs. 68%), thick endolaryngeal mucus (77 vs. 77%) and posterior commissure hypertrophy (55 vs. 64%). Fasting results in a nonsignificant increase in laryngopharyngeal reflux disease. The increase can be hypothetically explained on the change in eating habits and the known alterations in gastric secretions during Ramadan. Fasting subjects must be alert to the effect of LPRD on their throat and voice in particular.

Wpływ postu w ramadanie na dobową zmienność występowania ostrego zawału serca u tureckich pacjentów

ENWEndNote BIBJabRef, Mendeley RISPapers, Reference Manager, RefWorks, Zotero AMA Turker Y, Aydin M, Aslantas Y, et al. Original paperThe effect of Ramadan fasting on circadian variation of Turkish patients with acute myocardial infarction. Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej. 2012;8(3):193-198. doi:10.5114/pwki.2012.30398. APA Turker, Y., Aydin, M., Aslantas, Y., Ozaydin, M., Uysal, B., & Bulur, S. et al. (2012). Original paperThe effect of Ramadan fasting on circadian variation of Turkish patients with acute myocardial infarction. Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej, 8(3), 193-198. https://doi.org/10.5114/pwki.2012.30398 Chicago Turker, Yasin, Mesut Aydin, Yusuf Aslantas, Mehmet Ozaydin, Bayram Ali Uysal, Serkan Bulur, and Ismail Erden et al. 2012. "Original paperThe effect of Ramadan fasting on circadian variation of Turkish patients with acute myocardial infarction". Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej 8 (3): 193-198. doi:10.5114/pwki.2012.30398. Harvard Turker, Y., Aydin, M., Aslantas, Y., Ozaydin, M., Uysal, B., Bulur, S., Erden, I., Albayrak, S., and Ozhan, H. (2012). Original paperThe effect of Ramadan fasting on circadian variation of Turkish patients with acute myocardial infarction. Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej, 8(3), pp.193-198. https://doi.org/10.5114/pwki.2012.30398 MLA Turker, Yasin et al. "Original paperThe effect of Ramadan fasting on circadian variation of Turkish patients with acute myocardial infarction." Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej, vol. 8, no. 3, 2012, pp. 193-198. doi:10.5114/pwki.2012.30398. Vancouver Turker Y, Aydin M, Aslantas Y, Ozaydin M, Uysal B, Bulur S et al. Original paperThe effect of Ramadan fasting on circadian variation of Turkish patients with acute myocardial infarction. Advances in Interventional Cardiology/Postępy w Kardiologii Interwencyjnej. 2012;8(3):193-198. doi:10.5114/pwki.2012.30398.

Safety and efficiency of procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) conducted by medical officers in a level 1 hospital in Cape Town.

To study the efficacy and safety of procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) administered by medical officers (MOs) without formal anaesthetic training. A retrospective descriptive study in the Emergency Department (ED) of False Bay Hospital (FBH), situated in the southern suburbs of the Cape Town Metro Health District. The study included all patients who received PSA at FBH between 1 March 2007 and 31 August 2009. Variables recorded included age, gender, physical status as determined by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA status), procedure, fasting and intoxication status, PSA medications, adverse effects, rescue manoeuvres performed, if any, and time to discharge. Analysis was largely descriptive and clinical and demographic data are presented as means (standard deviations), medians, ranges and proportions as appropriate. Success of sedation and incidence of adverse effects are presented as proportions. Of 166 patients, 140 (84.3%) showed a good level of sedation, 14 (8.4%) were inadequately sedated, 5 (3%) were too deeply sedated but showed no signs of respiratory compromise, and 7 (4.2%) developed respiratory side-effects. Respiratory complications were treated with simple airway manoeuvres; no patient required intubation or experienced respiratory problems after waking up. There was no significant difference in the risk of adverse effects between the fasted and non-fasted groups. Mildly intoxicated patients who received PSA were at a higher risk of adverse effects. PSA can be administered safely by medical officers. Future research should expand on PSA research in this setting and focus on safety and patient satisfaction.

Fasting Might Not Be Necessary Before Lipid Screening: A Nationally Representative Cross-sectional Study

There are barriers to fasting lipid screening for at-risk children. Results of studies in adults have suggested that lipid testing might be reliably performed without fasting. To examine population-level differences in pediatric lipid values based on length of fast before testing. We used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2008) to examine total cholesterol (TC), HDL (high-density lipoprotein), LDL (low-density lipoprotein), and triglyceride cholesterol components on the basis of the period of fasting. Young children fasted for varying times before being tested, and children older than 12 years were asked to fast; however, adherence was variable. We used ordinary least-squares regression to test for differences in lipid values that were based on fasting times, controlling for weight status, age, race, ethnicity, and gender. TC, HDL, LDL, or triglyceride values were available for 12 744 children. Forty-eight percent of the TC and HDL samples and 80% of the LDL and triglyceride samples were collected from children who had fasted ≥ 8 hours. Fasting had a small positive effect for TC, HDL, and LDL, resulting in a mean value for the sample that was 2 to 5 mg/dL higher with a 12-hour fast compared with a no-fast sample. Fasting time had a negative effect on triglycerides (β = -0.859; P = .02), which resulted in values in the fasting group that were 7 mg/dL lower. Comparison of cholesterol screening results for a nonfasting group of children compared with results for a similar fasting group resulted in small differences that are likely not clinically important. Physicians might be able to decrease the burden of childhood cholesterol screening by not requiring prescreening fasting for these components.

Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Perceived Exercise Intensity during High-Intensity Interval Training in Elite Youth Soccer Players

Ramadan fasting increases subjective feelings of fatigue and reduces self-motivation during exercise. Exercising in the Ramadan fasted state leads to a quality of training that is lower than normal due to a reduction in exercise intensity and/or physical efforts. This field investigation examined the impact of Ramadan fasting on perceived exercise intensity during high-intensity training sessions and its impact on maximal aerobic performance, in elite-level youth soccer players. The National Under-18 squad was organized into a fasting (FAS) and a non-fasting (control, CON) groups. During the Ramadan month, in addition to the normal soccer-specific training, both FAS and CON underwent six specific conditioning sessions consisting of high-intensity aerobic and anaerobic interval running. There were no significant differences between groups' post-exercise ratings of perceived exertion in all sessions. There were no significant differences between groups for Beep test performances at pre- and post-Ramadan. There was no adverse effect of fasting on perceived exercise intensity in Ramadan fasted players, and also no impact on their maximal aerobic performance post-Ramadan.

Effects of Ramadan fasting on children with Type 1 diabetes

Some children with diabetes, despite their exemption, insist on fasting in Ramadan. We evaluated the safety of fasting among children with Type-1 diabetes. MethodsDuring Ramadan 2007, 20 children with Type-I diabetes were recruited and divided into two groups. Short term diabetes complications were recorded. Changes in weight, HbA1C and lipid profile before and after Ramadan were compared. ResultsFasting group (n=12, mean age 12.4years). Non-fasting group (n=8, mean age 10.5years) showed no significant difference in HbA1c (P=0.9), weight (P=0.96) or fasting lipid profiles. ConclusionSupervised fasting with close observation may be safe with no short-term parameter changes.

Intensity of a training session during Ramadan in fasting and non-fasting Tunisian youth football players

Heart rate was measured in 79 young male soccer players during training in the third week of Ramadan. Forty-eight players were practising Ramadan fasting, while the other 31 players were eating normally. All participants trained for 60–80 min at an ambient temperature of 25–28°C and relative humidity of 50–53%. Heart rate, which was measured throughout the training session, was marginally higher in the fasting (mean 144 beats · min−1, s = 25) than in the non-fasting (139 beats · min−1, s = 23) group (P < 0.001). When assessed as the percentage of heart rate reserve utilized, however, the training load was similar for both groups (62%, s = 8). No difference was detected in training intensity for the fasting and non-fasting groups when quantified by either training impulse (253, s = 139 and 253, s = 108, respectively) or training load indicator (222, s = 123 and 179, s = 49, respectively). The overall subjective rating of perceived exertion of the training session reported 20 min after finishing training was similar for the fasting (12, range 6–17) and non-fasting (12, range 7–17) groups, which was comparable (P = 0.16) to the mean value for the entire week (13, range 8–16). A similar finding was observed in the players' subjective appraisal of the difficulty of training of the individual session and for the whole week's training. Overall exercise load measures indicated that there was no biologically significant difference between the fasting and non-fasting groups during training in the third week of Ramadan.

Dietary intake and body composition of football players during the holy month of Ramadan

Healthy young male football players who were either fasting (n = 59) or not fasting (n = 36) during the month of Ramadan were studied. Body mass, body composition, and dietary intake were assessed at each time point. Energy intake was relatively stable in the fasting participants, but there was a small decrease of approximately 0.7 kg in body mass during Ramadan. Mean daily energy intake increased from 14.8 MJ (s = 2.9) to 18.1 MJ (s = 3.2) during Ramadan in non-fasting participants, with concomitant increases in body mass and body fat content of about 1.4 kg and 1% respectively over the month. The fractional intake of protein increased and the fractional contribution of carbohydrate decreased for both groups in Ramadan. Estimated mean daily water intake was high (about 3.8 litres) throughout the study period. Water intake increased on average by 1.3 litres · day−1 in line with the greater energy intake in the non-fasting group in Ramadan. Daily sodium intake fell during Ramadan in the fasting participants from 5.4 g (s = 1.1) before Ramadan to 4.3 g (s = 1.0) during Ramadan, but increased slightly by about 0.7 g · day−1 in the non-fasting group. Dietary iron decreased in the fasting group and increased in the non-fasting group, reflecting the difference in energy intake in both groups during Ramadan. These data suggest that Ramadan fasting had some effects on diet composition, but the effects were generally small even though the pattern of eating was very different. After Ramadan, the dietary variables reverted to the pre-Ramadan values.

Influence of Ramadan fasting on physiological and performance variables in football players: Summary of the F-MARC 2006 Ramadan fasting study

The timing of food and liquid intake depends on the times of sunset and sunrise during the month of Ramadan. The current body of knowledge presents contradicting results as to the effect of Ramadan fasting on body mass, body composition and metabolic changes. The main objective of the present investigation was to gain additional information and scientific data in conformity with the philosophical background of Islam to allow optimisation of the daily training and dietary regimen in relation to the mental and physical performance of football players. The four teams, along with their coaches and trainers, attended a residential training camp at training centre 3 weeks before the start of Ramadan and throughout the study. Energy intake was relatively stable in the fasting group, but there was a small, albeit significant, decrease of approximately 0.7 kg in body mass. Water intake increased on average by 1.3 l/day in line with the greater energy intake in the non-fasting group in Ramadan. Daily sodium intake fell during Ramadan in the fasting players but increased slightly in the non-fasting group. Fasting players trained on average 11 h after their last food and drink, and reported that they felt slightly less ready to train during the Ramadan fast. None of the assessed performance variables was negatively affected by fasting while nearly all variables showed significant improvement at the third test session, indicating a training effect. Heart rate measurements in one training session during the third week of Ramadan appeared to suggest that the training load during training was marginally greater for the fasting than for the non-fasting players. However, the overall exercise load measures indicated that there was no biologically significant difference between the fasting and non-fasting groups. In the present study, biochemical, nutritional, subjective well-being and performance variables were not adversely affected in young male football players who followed Ramadan fasting in a controlled training camp environment. Physical performance generally improved, but match performance was not measured. We recommend that players should ensure adequate sleep and good nutrition during Ramadan to preserve football performance and general health.

Alteration of subjective feelings in football players undertaking their usual training and match schedule during the Ramadan fast

Eighty-seven players (54 fasting players, 33 non-fasting players) who carried out their club's scheduled training and competitive matches completed the daily questionnaire before and during Ramadan. Fasting players trained on average 11 h after their last food and drink. While fasting players reported that they were slightly less ready to train during the Ramadan fast than in the period before Ramadan, there was no increase in their perceived effort during training or in training difficulty compared with their ratings before Ramadan, or with those of the non-fasting group during Ramadan. The fasting players were marginally more thirsty, hungry and tired, and slightly less able to concentrate before training during Ramadan than in the pre-Ramadan period. Before Ramadan, both groups averaged more than 9 h sleep each night. The non-fasting players recorded that they had about 105 min less sleep per night during the first week of Ramadan, before reverting back to their pre-Ramadan amount of sleep. The fasting group consistently reported having about 1 h less sleep per night throughout Ramadan, but neither group appeared to find sleep quality to have altered. In the first 2 weeks after Ramadan, the modest changes reported by the fasting players reverted back to their pre-Ramadan values.

Repaglinide plus single-dose insulin glargine: a safe regimen for low-risk type 2 diabetic patients who insist on fasting in Ramadan

Aim of this prospective study is to evaluate the effect of repaglinide t.i.d. (three times a day) plus single-dose insulin glargine regimen in low-risk type 2 diabetic patients during Ramadan fasting. Participants had been taking the regimen for at least 3 months. Patients with a history of diabetic coma, severe hypoglycemic crisis or repeating attacks of hypoglycemia were excluded. Hypoglycemic unawareness, kidney or liver disease or HbA1c over 8% were also accepted as exclusion criteria. Eleven patients who insisted on this worship and eight non-fasting cases were involved. All were told to make home-glucose-monitorisation weekly and report any hypoglycemic event throughout Ramadan. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), post-prandial blood glucose (PBG) and fructosamine levels, body weights and blood pressures were recorded just before and after Ramadan. Seven patients in each group concluded the follow-up. Any significant change was detected in the parameters in either groups (P>0.05). Glucose control remained unchanged; fructosamine 318.14+/-65.38 versus 317.28+/-52.80 mmol/L in fasting group, 290.71+/-38.48 versus 290+/-38.56 mmol/L in non-fasting group. None of them exhibited either a major or a minor hypoglycemic event. The results of this pilot study indicated that repaglinide t.i.d. plus single-dose insulin glargine regimen was safe for low-risk type 2 diabetic patients who insisted on fasting during Ramadan.

Arousal and continuous attention during Ramadan intermittent fasting

During the month of Ramadan, practicing Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. We aimed to investigate the effect of Ramadan fasting on arousal and continuous attention. The electrodermal activity and cancellation test of students were measured in fasting and non-fasting conditions after the conclusion of the Ramadan fast period. The skin conductance level of the fasting group was no different from the non-fasting group. In non-fasting group, the skin conductance response amplitude to an auditory stimulus was higher and the skin conductance response onset latency was lower than in the fasting group. Cancellation test results: the fasting group had a lower total number of marked targets (TNTM) but a higher total number of missed targets (TNMT) and length of time for the subject to complete the test (LTCT) than the non-fasting group. Ramadan fasting did not change arousal, but the reaction time to an auditory stimulus increased during the Ramadan intermittent fasting. Both reaction amplitude and continuous attention also decreased in the fasting condition.

Impact of Fasting on Shockwave Lithotripsy in Renal Stones: A Randomized Controlled Trial

We evaluated the impact of fasting on the effectiveness of shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) in patients with renal calculi. The study was a randomized controlled trial for patients with renal stones. Between May 2005 and November 2006, patients (n = 97) with a single radio-opaque renal stone (7-21 mm) who were candidates for SWL were enrolled. Patients were randomized to fasting (F, n = 49) and nonfasting (NF, n = 48) groups. F group patients were asked to fast for 12 hours before SWL. Urine specific gravity (SG) was measured after fasting. All patients were monitored every 2 weeks until complete stone clearance. Treatment effectiveness was defined as complete clearance up to 3 months. There were 32 men in the F group and 28 men in the NF group. The mean age was 37.9 +/- 8.5 years in the F group and 39.1 +/- 7.7 years in the NF group. The mean body mass index was 22.8 +/- 2.5 and 23.1 +/- 2.6 in F and NF patients, respectively. The urine SG in the F group (1.036 +/- 0.004) was significantly higher than in the NF group (1.013 +/- 0.004; P < 0.001). At 3-month follow-up, the overall stone-free rate using SWL was 86.1% in the F group, which was higher than the rate of 72.9% in the NF group; however, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.16). Fasting significantly changes the urine SG but does not have a significant impact on the effectiveness of SWL for isolated renal stones.

Interleukin-6, C-Reactive Protein and Biochemical Parameters during Prolonged Intermittent Fasting

Background: It is well known that nutritional habits, sleeping patterns and meal frequency have profound effects on maintaining human health. Ramadan is a religious month for Islam, during which Muslims do not eat and drink during the daylight hours. The duration of restricted food and beverage intake is approximately 12 h/day for 1 month, which makes Ramadan a model of prolonged intermittent fasting. Methods: In order to evaluate the effects of long-lasting modifications of food intake on inflammatory markers and biochemical parameters 40 healthy volunteers of normal weight [20 females aged between 20 and 38 years, 20 males aged between 23 and 39 years, body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m²] who fasted during Ramadan and another 28 healthy age- and BMI-matched volunteers (14 males, 14 females) who did not fast participated in the study. Venous blood samples were taken 1 week before Ramadan, during the last week of Ramadan and 3 weeks after Ramadan. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine, vitamin B₁₂, folate, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were measured. Results: No significant changes were observed in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL levels. TC/HDL ratio (HDL risk factor) was decreased during and after Ramadan in both genders in the fasting group while there were no changes in the nonfasting group. IL-6 (p < 0.001), CRP (p < 0.001) and homocysteine (p < 0.01) levels were significantly low during Ramadan in the fasting subjects of both genders when compared to basal values (1 week before Ramadan). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that prolonged intermittent fasting in a model like Ramadan has some positive effects on the inflammatory status of the body and on the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as homocysteine, CRP and TC/HDL ratio.

A comparison of glycemic effects of glimepiride, repaglinide, and insulin glargine in type 2 diabetes mellitus during Ramadan fasting

Although diabetics may be exempted from Ramadan fasting, many patients still insist on this worship. Aim of the present study is to compare the effects of glimepiride, repaglinide, and insulin glargine in type 2 diabetics during Ramadan fasting on the glucose metabolism. Patients, who were willing to fast, were treated with glimepiride ( n = 21), repaglinide ( n = 18), and insulin glargine ( n = 10). Sixteen non-fasting control type 2 diabetics matched for age, sex, and body mass index were also included. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), post-prandial blood glucose (PBG), HbA1c, and fructosamine as well as lipid metabolism were evaluated in pre-Ramadan, post-Ramadan, and 1-month post-Ramadan time points. There was no significant change from pre-Ramadan in FBG, PBG, and HbA1c variables in fasting diabetics at post-Ramadan and 1-month post-Ramadan. However, PBG was found higher in non-fasting control diabetics at post-Ramadan and 1-month post-Ramadan ( p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). In fructosamine levels, a significant increase was noted both in fasting group and non-fasting group at 1-month post-Ramadan ( p < 0.01 for all). However, no significant difference was found in the comparison of the changes in fructosamine levels between fasting group and non-fasting group. Risk of hypoglycemia did not significantly differ between fasting and non-fasting diabetics. There was no significant difference between three drug therapies regarding glucose metabolism and rate of hypoglycemia. No adverse effects on plasma lipids were noted in fasting diabetics. In this fasting sample of patients with type 2 diabetes, glimepiride, repaglinide, and insulin glargine did not produce significant changes in glucose and lipid parameters.