Alterations of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Creatinine During Ramadan Fasting: A Prospective, Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is associated with mood-related symptoms. Fasting can improve mood. However, there was a lack of information about BDNF during prolonged fasting in Summertime in Germany. Objectives: This study aimed to determine (1) the effect of Ramadan fasting on BDNF and creatinine during the month of Ramadan in Germany; (2) the correlation of BDNF with body composition parameters and Health-related Quality of Life (HQoL). Methods: This prospective controlled clinical trial was conducted on a total of fifty healthy adult male during Ramadan 2015 in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine affiliated to Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. The participants were recruited and divided into two groups, including fasting (FG) and non-fasting groups (NFG). The FG was evaluated at T1: one week before Ramadan, T2: mid of Ramadan, T3: last days of Ramadan, and T4: one week after Ramadan. The NFG was evaluated only at T1 and T3. Results: No significant differences were found between FG and NFG at T1 or T3 with regard to BDNF and creatinine (P > 0.05). In the FG, significant alterations were demonstrated in terms of BDNF. The BDNF was significantly increased at T3 compared with T2 (P < 0.05). No significant change of creatinine was seen in the FG (P > 0.05). Conclusions: It seems BDNF plays a role in the Ramadan fasting. Normal range level of creatinine suggested that long-period Ramadan fasting is safe for the kidney of healthy male subjects.

A Prospective Clinical Trial of Prolonged Fasting in Healthy Young Males and Females—Effect on Fatigue, Sleepiness, Mood and Body Composition

“…In patients, RF should be carefully monitored by health professionals. Other studies also reported the effect of RF on young males [16][17][18], workers [19], tennis players [20] and taekwondo athletes [21].…”

“…A long period of fasting could influence different aspects of the human body, including at genetic level [22,23] and its phenotypic manifestations; for example, one study showed the changing in health-related quality of life and body composition (BC) parameters [16]. Another study showed the alteration of creatinine levels during a long fasting period in young males, although it is still in health range [17].…”

Effect of Calorie Restriction and Intermittent Fasting Regimens on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels and Cognitive Function in Humans: A Systematic Review

“…Nine of the sixteen studies were experimental, while the other seven studies were observational. Five of the sixteen studies were executed during the month of Ramadan [25,26,[28][29][30]. Three of the five RIF studies revealed reductions in BDNF levels [25,26,30], while the rest (two studies) revealed an increase in BDNF levels during/after the observance of RIF [28,29].…”

Changes in migraine characteristics over 30 days of Ramadan fasting: A prospective study

“…Thus brain cells can counteract the nutritional and metabolic stressors associated with fasting 18 . Interestingly, the serum level of BDNF was significantly increased in Ramadan's last days compared with the first days 19 …”

“…18 Interestingly, the serum level of BDNF was significantly increased in Ramadan's last days compared with the first days. 19 All these factors may collectively explain why the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks decreased significantly in Ramadan's last 10 days compared with the first 10 days. Accordingly, physicians should reassure the patients with migraine that Ramadan's exacerbating effect on their migraine attacks is only limited to the first 10 days of fasting and then subsides with the successive days of fasting.…”