Effect of Ramadan fasting in Saudi Arabia on serum bone profile and immunoglobulins

Abstract

Background: Each year Muslims fast from dawn to sunset for 1 month (Ramadan). In Saudi Arabia, the sleep-wake cycle during Ramadan is severely disturbed and is associated with abolition of the circadian cortisol rhythm, exposing Saudis to continuously increased cortisol levels, which may influence the immune response. In addition to cortisol, sleep and fasting affect the secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and hence bone metabolism. Methods: Our objective was to investigate the effect of Ramadan type fasting on secretory patterns of PTH, markers of bone metabolism, and serum immunoglobulins. Blood samples from healthy young volunteers were collected at 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. (± 1 hour) before (Shaban) and 2 weeks into Ramadan. Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, 25-OH vitamin D, intact PTH (iPTH), and immunoglobulin (Ig) A, M and G were measured. Results: During Ramadan, evening-adjusted calcium was higher (p = 0.036) and phosphate lower (p < 0.001) than the corresponding morning value. Moreover, the Ramadan mean morning phosphate was higher and the evening level lower was than Shabaan values (p = 0.010 and p <0.001, respectively), while mean iPTH level was decreased compared with the morning value (p = 0.001), and the evening mean during Shabaan (p = 0.029). Mean IgG concentration was significantly lower during Ramadan (p = 0.003 and p = 0.021 for morning and evening, respectively). Conclusions: Changes in dietary practices during Ramadan modulated PTH secretion to a pattern which might be beneficial to bone health. Combined effects of fasting and disturbed sleep led to a noted decrease in IgG level. Therefore, a possible beneficial effect of fasting on bone turnover is combined with decreased immune response.

Ramadan Fasting Exerts Immunomodulatory Effects: Insights from a Systematic Review

“…Only two studies were conducted with female samples. Regarding recruiting and sampling strategies, most studies relied on convenience samples/purposive sampling, whereas only two studies ( 7 , 11 ) computed a priori sample-size power. Ten studies were case–control studies, while the remaining ones were observational prospective cohort studies.…”

Ramadan fasting in Saudi Arabia is associated with altered expression of CLOCK, DUSP and IL-1alpha genes, as well as changes in cardiometabolic risk factors

“…Therefore, the changes in DUSP expression could explain the downregulation in the expression of IL-1, which acts to activate both the innate and adaptive immune response [18]. Furthermore, it could explain our earlier reported lower mean IgG during Ramadan [34]. This is of particular importance to diabetics and the elderly possibly rendering them more susceptible to infectious diseases.…”

Role of therapeutic fasting in women's health: An overview

“…[ 22 ] Fasting has shown to affect the parathyroid hormone secretion and which is thought to be beneficial in improving bone health. [ 23 ] Parathyroid hormone is affected by alteration in circadian rhythm and plays a major role in both calcium and phosphate metabolism and the bone remodeling process. [ 24 ] Fasting has shown to ameliorate clinical manifestations of RA by reducing the food intolerance, diminishing gastrointestinal permeability, and decreasing intake of precursors of inflammatory mediators such as cytokines, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes.…”