RESUMO
Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is an obligation for all adult, healthy Muslims. As several studies have indicated, both fasting and energy restriction can alter thyroid hormone metabolism and affect the clinical features and well-being of hypothyroid patients. Hypothyroidism is more prevalent among women and the elderly. Its prevalence has been reported to be 4-8% of the general population. Despite the large body of animal research on fasting, few human studies have focused on Ramadan fasting and its impacts on hypothyroid patients. PubMed and Google scholar databases were searched using keywords such as Ramadan, fasting, hypothyroidism, and food restriction. Animal and human studies, which were highly relevant to the topic, were selected. Four animal and 7 human studies were included in this article.We found that levothyroxine dosage should be increased for hypothyroid patients from the beginning of the month until 15-20 days after the end of Ramadan. Fasting can change the concentration of thyroid hormones, thyroidstimulating hormone level, and the associated metabolisms both in animals and humans. As the results indicated, hypothyroid individuals, who fast during the month of Ramadan, particularly women and the elderly, may suffer from thyroid hormone changes. For these patients, levothyroxine dosage should be increased to 25-50 micro g/day from the beginning of Ramadan until 15-20 days after the end of this month. An increased dose of levothyroxine during Ramadan is recommended for hypothyroid patients, particularly women and the elderly
RESUMO
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the ethanolic extract of Nigella Sativa L [NS] seeds on kidney calculi in rats. Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: group A received tap drinking water for 30 days [intact control]. Groups B, C, and D received 1% ethylene glycol for induction of calcium oxalate calculus formation. As the preventive, and treatment subjects, rats in groups C and D received ethanolic extract of NS, 250mg/kg, in drinking water since day 0 and day 14, respectively. Urine was collected on days 0, 7, 14, and 30 of the study period. After 30 days, the kidneys were removed and prepared for histologic evaluation of calcium oxalate deposits. Urine calcium oxalate concentrations were determined by atomic absorption. The number of CaOx deposits was significantly greater in group B [P=0.001]. Calcium oxalate concentrations in the urine on days 14 and 30 increased significantly in group B and were higher than those in group C [p=.006 and p=.002, respectively]. Urine oxalate concentration in group D decreased on day 30 and was lower than that in group B [P=.04]. Treatment of rats with ethanolic extract of NS reduced the number of calcium oxalate deposits in a group of rats that received ethanolic extract of NS. The NS could also lower the urine concentration of calcium oxalate. We suggest further studies on the therapeutic and preventive effects of the NS on kidney calculus formation in human