Effect of Ramadan fasting on serum heat shock protein 70 and serum lipid profile

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