Effect of Ramadan diurnal fasting on visceral adiposity and serum adipokines in overweight and obese individuals

Aim: Excessive visceral adiposity is a major risk factor for developing insulin resistance and systemic low-grade inflammation. Ramadan diurnal fasting (RDF) is a religious ritual practiced by more than one billion Muslim throughout the world. It has been considered as one of the most common types of complementary and integrative health practices. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of RDF on visceral adiposity, circulating adipokines and glucoregulatory markers in patients with overweight or obesity. Methods: Overweight and obese subjects (n = 61; 23 men and 38 women) were included in the study. Body weight, visceral fat tissue area (measured by 3D-MRI), glucoregulatory factors, serum adipokines concentrations, dietary intake, and physical activity were assessed one week before and at the end of the lunar month of Ramadan. Results: From baseline, body weight and visceral fat tissue area serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure significantly decreased (P < 0.05 for each) at the end of Ramadan. The serum levels of adiponectin, IL-6, TNF-α, and IGF-1 significantly decreased (P < 0.05 for each), but serum visfatin, leptin, apelin, IL-10, and IL-10/IL-6 ratio significantly increased (P < 0.05 for each) at the end of Ramadan. Changes in visceral adiposity significantly correlated with changes in plasma glucose (r = 0.4, P < 0.5) and resistin (r = 0.44, P < 0.001) at the end of Ramadan. Conclusion: RDF lowers visceral adiposity, body weight and variably affects adipokines without adversely affecting markers of glucose homeostasis in individuals with overweight or obesity.