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DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1740731
Effects of a one-month religious fast on metabolism and steatotic liver injury in type 2 diabetes
The fasting month of Ramadan can be regarded as a modified form of interval fasting. However, in contrast to the usual recommendations, religious fasting in this form also requires abstaining from liquids during the day, while food being consumed in defined periods after sunset, generally resulting in a reduced and timed intake of total calories. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study was to characterize the impact of a one-month interval fasting period on liver health, glucose and lipid metabolism in a cohort of T2D patients. Patients’ blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of the four-week fasting period. The status of the liver was examined by fibroscan including measurement of the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). Following the fasting period, the patients experienced a significant weight loss. While fibroscan (8.0±1.2 vs. 8.6±1.6 before/after fasting) and CAP (311.4±9.6 vs. 302.6 ±10.4 before/after fasting) showed modest changes, transaminase levels and the apoptosis marker M30 as well as adiponectin were significantly decreased after fasting. Serum levels of triglycerides were significantly decreased after the interval fasting. Glucose levels did not change significantly but serum levels of C-peptide and insulin increased following the interval fasting period. In this cohort of T2D patients, we demonstrated that a 4-week intermittent fasting period resulted in an improvement in different serum parameters associated with glucose, liver, and lipid metabolism.
Publication History
Article published online:
26 January 2022
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