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 dia betic subjects before the beginning and at the end of the Muslim month of fasting (Ramadan). In normal subjects, there was a significant inc rease (P<0.01) in triglycerides and uric acid levels as a result of Ra madan fasting. In diabetic patients, triglyceride levels decreased sig nificantly (P<0.05), while uric acid levels showed a significant incre ase (P<0.01) as a result of the same type of fasting. There were no si gnificant differences in cholesterol, fructosamine and glycosylated he moglobin levels before and after fasting in either group. These findin gs 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 ei ther normal or Type II diabetic subjects.