Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Some Haematological and Biochemical Parameters

Ramadan is the month during which Muslims refrain from food, liquids and smoking during daylight hours and eat a large meal after sundown. This custom provides a unique opportunity to study the biochemical changes over Ramadan time. The study was performed on 57 healthy females and was carried out in the month of Ramadan (October- November 2004). Blood samples were collected four times: one week before the beginning of Ramadan, at the end of the first week, at the end of the second week, and at the end the last week of Ramadan. Haematological indices including haemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell count, and platelets count were determined twice (one week before Ramadan and mid of Ramadan) on whole blood samples. Serum was evaluated for creatinine, urea, albumin, uric acid, and lipids (triglycerides), total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein- cholesterol (LDLC) was calculated. Haematologically, platelets count was significantly decreased (p = 0.002) during Ramadan while other parameters remained relatively stable. Biochemical analysis showed a significant reduction in serum triacylglycerols (TAGs) after the mid of Ramadan (p = 0.007). A slight but not significant increase (p=0.073) in HDL–C was observed. The changes in the other parameters were not significant. In Jordanian healthy females, Ramadan fasting resulted in a statistical effect on platelets count and serum triglycerides