The effects of Ramadan fasting on certain biochemical parameters in normal subjects and in type II diabetic patients.

Fasting levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, fructosamine and glycosylated hemoglobin were measured in normal and in Type II diabetic subjects before the beginning and at the end of the Muslim month of fasting (Ramadan). In normal subjects, there was a significant increase (P<0.01) in triglycerides and uric acid levels as a result of Ramadan fasting. In diabetic patients, triglyceride levels decreased significantly (P<0.05), while uric acid levels showed a significant increase (P<0.01) as a result of the same type of fasting. There were no significant differences in cholesterol, fructosamine and glycosylated hemoglobin levels before and after fasting in either group. These finding suggest that although this type of fasting is effective in causing considerable changes in certain blood biochemical parameters in normal and diabetic subjects, it has no effect on the glycemic control of either normal or Type II diabetic subjects.