Effects of Intermittent Fasting During Ramadan on Insulin-like Growth Factor-1, Interleukin 2, and Lipid Profile in Healthy Muslims

Overview

Journal Int J Prev Med

Date 2019 Feb 19

PMID 30774841

Citations 11

Authors

Ali R Rahbar

Eisa Safavi

Maryam Rooholamini

Fateme Jaafari

Sadegh Darvishi

Amin Rahbar

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) play an essential role in pathophysiology of several chronic diseases. As a stressor, fasting in Ramadan may increase inflammatory markers such as IGF-1 and IL-2 in Muslims. The aim of this before-after study was to investigate the effects of fasting in Ramadan on IGF-1 and IL-2 levels in individuals.

Methods: In all, 34 men age 16-64 years were selected out of the overall number of individuals who were ready for fasting entirely throughout Ramadan. A sample of blood was drawn from the contributors before and after Ramadan, and plasma IGF-1, IL-2, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were determined. To identify differences between the initial and final values of test results of the study for plasma IGF-1, IL-2, and lipid parameters, we used paired sample -test.

Results: Paired sample -test illustrated a significant decrease in IGF-1 and IL-2 levels after Ramadan fasting compared to before Ramadan. The concentration of TG, cholesterol, and LDL-C levels underwent significant decreases over the period of the study. HDL-C levels did not change significantly during the study. A significant decrease in weight, waist circumferences, calorie, carbohydrate, and fat intake were observed in participants during Ramadan fasting.

Conclusions: It is concluded that fasting in Ramadan independent of anthropometric measures attenuates inflammation and is beneficiary to health.

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