Joint Effects of Exercise and Ramadan Fasting on Telomere Length: Implications for Cellular Aging

Overview

Journal Biomedicines

Specialty Biomedical Engineering

Date 2024 Jun 27

PMID 38927389

Authors

Shamma Almuraikhy

Maha Sellami

Khaled Naja

Hadaia Saleh Al-Amri

Najeha Anwardeen

Amina Aden

Alexander Domling

Mohamed A Elrayess

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Aging is a fundamental biological process that progressively impairs the functionality of the bodily systems, leading to an increased risk of diseases. Telomere length is one of the most often used biomarkers of aging. Recent research has focused on developing interventions to mitigate the effects of aging and improve the quality of life. The objective of this study was to investigate the combined effect of exercise and Ramadan fasting on telomere length. Twenty-nine young, non-obese, healthy females were randomized into two groups: the control group underwent a 4-week exercise training program, and the second group underwent a 4-week exercise training program while fasting during Ramadan. Blood samples were collected, and measurements of clinical traits, cytokines, oxidative stress, and telomere length were performed before and after intervention. Telomere length increased significantly from baseline in the exercise-while-fasting group, but showed no significant change in the exercise control group. This increase was accompanied by a reduction in TNF-α, among other cytokines. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was observed between the mean change in telomere length and HDL in the exercise-while-fasting group only. This study is the first to report an increase in telomere length after combining Ramadan fasting with training, suggesting that exercising while fasting may be an effective tool for slowing down the aging rate. Further studies using larger and more diverse cohorts are warranted.

Citing Articles

The influence of circadian rhythm disruption during Ramadan on metabolic responses to physical activity: a pilot study.

Anwardeen N, Naja K, Almuraikhy S, Sellami M, Al-Amri H, Philip N Front Neurosci. 2025; 19:1542016.

PMID: 40066156 PMC: 11891360. DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2025.1542016.

Metabolic signatures of combined exercise and fasting: an expanded perspective on previous telomere length findings.

Almuraikhy S, Naja K, Anwardeen N, Sellami M, Al-Amri H, Al-Sulaiti H Front Aging. 2024; 5:1494095.

PMID: 39633874 PMC: 11615071. DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2024.1494095.

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