Ramadan fastings effect on plasma leptin, adiponectin concentrations, and body composition in trained young men

Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2008 Dec;18(6):617-27. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.18.6.617.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on parameters of insulin resistance in trained athletes at rest and after aerobic exercise.

Methods: Nine male rugby players (age 19 +/- 2 yr, height 1.78 +/- 0.74 m) were tested 3 times: 1 week before observance of Ramadan (C), at the end of the first week (R1), and during the fourth week (R2). They performed a progressive cycle-ergometer test at each visit. Data collected at rest and at the end of aerobic exercise included simple anthropometry (body mass, body-mass index, body fat, fat-free mass), biochemical parameters (serum glucose, cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, and serum proteins), and selected hormone concentrations (plasma insulin, leptin, and adiponectin).

Results: Ramadan fasting was associated with a reduction of body mass and body fat (R2 vs. C, p < .01) without significant change in leptin or adiponectin levels.

Conclusion: Lipolysis might have occurred because of increased plasma triglycerides and HDL cholesterol concentrations.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adiponectin / blood
  • Adolescent
  • Body Composition / physiology*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Exercise Test
  • Fasting / metabolism*
  • Football
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin Resistance / physiology*
  • Leptin / blood*
  • Male
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • Triglycerides / blood
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Adiponectin
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Insulin
  • Leptin
  • Proteins
  • Triglycerides