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

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 T-test. RESULTS: Paired sample T-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.

Relationship between Body Mass Index, Waist-to-Hip Ratio, and Serum Lipid Concentrations and Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone in the Euthyroid Adult Population.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, and lipid parameters and serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in healthy euthyroid individuals. This cross-sectional study was conducted between June 1st and July 20th, 2013, at Bushehr University of Medical Sciences. One hundred forty euthyroid individuals were divided into 2 groups: a high-TSH group (TSH between 2.0 and 5.5 mIU/L, n=67) and a low-TSH group (TSH between 0.3 and 2.0 mIU/L, n=73). After overnight fast, total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), TSH, thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3) were measured. Height and weight were measured with a stadiometer, and BMI was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. Waist-to-hip ratio was determined as waist circumference divided by hip circumference. The simple independent t-test and a general linear model were used for statistical analysis. All statistical analyses were done using the SPSS, version 15, statistical software package. BMI and LDL-C were significantly higher in the high-TSH group than in the low-TSH group after adjustment for age, sex, calorie intake, total fat and carbohydrate intakes, and physical activity. No significant differences were found between the groups in TG, cholesterol, and HDL-C. The association between TSH levels andT4 was significant. Individuals with TSH levels at the upper limit of normality might be at risk of hypercholesterolemia and obesity.

Effect of Conjugated Linoleic Acid as a Supplement or Enrichment in Foods on Blood Glucose and Waist Circumference in Humans: A Metaanalysis.

BACKGROUND: Controversy persists regarding the effect of mixtures of conjugated linoleic acids (c9, t11- and t10, c12-CLA) in fasting blood glucose (FBG) and waist circumference (WC) in humans. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this meta-analysis is to explore the effect of CLA on FBG and WC. METHOD: PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Pro-Quest and Ovid were searched up to January 2015. Studies that examined the effect of CLA supplementation or foods enriched with CLA on FBG and WC in healthy adults were included. Studies in animals or unhealthy individuals and studies other than clinical trials were excluded. Of the 3,095 articles initially retrieved, 32 eligible randomized clinical trials were included in this systematic review. The mean difference and standard deviation of changes in FBG and WC in the intervention and control groups were used as effect size measures for the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Subgroup analysis showed that CLA supplement consumption did not significantly influence FBG (standardized mean differences [SMD] = 0.075 mg/dL; 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.099 to 0.249; p = 0.399) or WC (SMD = -0.149 cm; 95% CI = -0.522 to 0.225; p = 0.435). Foods enriched in CLA also showed no significant effect on FBG (SMD = 0.126 mg/dL; 95% CI = -0.100 to 0.352; p = 0.274) or WC (SMD = -0.233 cm; 95% CI = -0.625 to 0.159; p = 0.244). CONCLUSION: We conclude that c9, t11- and t10, c12-CLA administered as a supplement or used to enrich foods does not affect FBG or WC in humans.