Zare A, Hajhashemi M, Hassan ZM, Zarrin S, Pourpak Z, Moin M, Salarilak S, Masudi S, Shahabi S
Correspondence: Dr Shahram Shahabi, s_shahabi@umsu.ac.ir
ABSTRACT
Introduction Ramadan, the holy month for the Islamic world, is a period every year when food and fluid intake is restricted to the pre-sunrise and post-sunset hours. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on the serum concentration of heat shock protein 70 (HSp70) and serum lipid profile in healthy men.
Methods A total of 32 male volunteers with a mean age of 28.5 (range 23–37) years were selected for the study. Blood samples were obtained one day prior to Ramadan and on the 3rd and 25th days of fasting. Serum HSp70, triglyceride (Tg), cholesterol (chol), low-density lipoprotein (ldl) and high-density lipoprotein (Hdl), ldl/Hdl and chol/Hdl ratios were investigated.
Results It was observed that the mean concentrations of serum HSp70 and Hdl on the 25th day of Ramadan were significantly higher than those recorded one day before Ramadan and on the 3rd day of Ramadan, and the levels on the 3rd day of Ramadan was significantly higher than those recorded one day before Ramadan. Mean concentrations of serum Tg, chol, ldl, and ldl/Hdl and chol/Hdl ratios on the 25th day of Ramadan were significantly lower than those recorded one day before Ramadan and on the 3rd day of Ramadan, and the levels found on the 3rd day of Ramadan were also significantly lower than those recorded one day before Ramadan.
Conclusion Ramadan fasting increases serum HSp70 and improves serum lipid profile.
Keywords: heat shock protein, lipid profile, ramadan fasting, stress tolerance
Singapore Med J 2011; 52(7): 491-495
