Effects of Ramadan fast on corticotrophin and B-endorphins

ABSTRACT

The effect of Ramadhan fasting on endogenous opioids in man was assessed by measuring plasma beta-endorphins before and during Ramadhan fast. In 9 healthy volunteers, consecutive measurements of 24-hour [9 a.m., 4 p.m., 9 p.m., and 4 a.m.] changes in plasma beta- endorphins, corticotrophin and some circulating nutritional markers were recorded before Ramadhan fast and repeated on the 15th day after the start of Ramadhan fast. Beta-endorphins levels did not differ significantly during Ramadhan when compared with the non-fasting measurements. These findings indicated that the short terms intermittent fasting-refeeding patterns characteristic of the Ramadhan fast do not seem to challenge the homeostatic stability of the body's "inside milieu"