[Evaluation of serum levels of IL-L alpha, TGF-Beta, TNF-alpha, IFN-alpha, IFN-Omega, IL-1 alpha, TGH-beta, cortisol and immunoglobulins in Islamic ramadan fasting]

This research aimed determining the levels of cortisol, immunoglobulins and major serum cytokines, following Ramadan fasting, as immune response indexes. For this before and after Ramadan fasting study, twenty-five students residing at the dormitory of the Tehran University of Medical Sciences were selected. All cytokines levels [IL-1alpha TGF-beta, TNF-alpha, IFN-alpha, IFN-omega] were determined by the ELISA method, Immoglobulines were determined by the Radial Immunodiffusion [SRID] technique and cortisol levels were measured by EIA too. While IFN-omega a showed a considerable increase after Ramadan fasting [P<0.01], IFN-alpha and TNF-alpha had decreased [P >/= 0.5 and <0.02 respectively]. Serum level of TGF-beta increased but not significantly [P>0.3]; cortisol also increased after one month of fasting [P<0.05]. Serum IL-1alpha had a non-significant decrease [P >/= 0.5]. Although IgG and IgM levels showed no significant increase, IgA levels showed significant decrease [P<0.5]. Our data revealed that Ramadan fasting increased IFN-omega, while decreasing TNF-alpha and IgA levels; ramadan fasting can probably increase T-Cell function, lower the inflammatory appreance rate and affect immunoglubulin production