Alteration in Body Composition and Metabolic Profile Without Changes on Serum Leptin and Adiponectin Levels During Ramadan Fasting in Healthy Men

Outcome measurements were taken at before (baseline) and at the end of Ramadan (after Ramadan fasting) on body composition, metabolic profile (fasting plasma glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, triglycerides, and HOMA-IR), serum leptin and adiponectin, ratio of leptin to adiponectin in 27 healthy men (19-31 years) Muslim in Bangkok, Thailand.

Subjects Twenty-nine subjects fulfilled inclusion criteria including: age 19-40 years, Muslim men fasted completely, and no known of any metabolic-related diseases. Subjects with diseases and/or intake of any medication and dietary supplement, smoking, and alcohol drinking were excluded. After Ramadan fasting, 27 subjects completed the study.

The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Review Committee for Research Involving Human Research Participants, Health Science Group, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand (COA no. 136/2558).Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects prior to enrolling to the study. Subject's anonymity was preserved.

Study design Research visit was conducted at Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand at before (earlier days of Ramadan) and after (third week of Ramadan) to collect the outcome measurements including anthropometry, body composition, metabolic profile, serum leptin and adiponectin levels, and ratio of leptin to adiponectin. The dietary intake of 2 weekday and one weekend day and physical activity were recorded each week during Ramadan in food record booklet. Energy intake and macronutrients composition including carbohydrate, protein and fat will be analysed by registered dietitian.

Anthropometry and body composition measurements Weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and percent body fat were measured at baseline (week-0) and the end of Ramadan fasting period (week-4). Body weight, and percent body fat mass were assessed using a constant current source with a high frequency current (50kHz, 500μA)-bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA) (MC-980MA body composition analyzer, TANITA corporation, Tokyo, JAPAN). The subject was requested to dress in light attire and bare feet. The 8 polar electrodes were positioned so that electric current was supplied from the electrodes on the tips of the toes of both feet and the fingertips of both hands, and voltage is measured on the heel of both feet and the near side of both hands. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated as weight/height2 (in kilograms per square meter). Waist and hip circumferences were measured by using a standard rounded tape at a point right above the iliac crest on the mid-axillary line at minimal respiration (for waist) and in a horizontal plane at the level of the maximal extension of the buttocks (for hip) to the nearest 1.0 cm.