Effect of Ramadan Fasting on the levels of IL-1a , IL-2, IL-6 and IL-8 Cytokines

Abstract

Ramadan fasting is one of the pillars of islam. It is often a subject of discussion whether or not Ramadan fasting confers any effect on immune cytokines.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on the level of IL-1α , IL-2 , IL-6 and IL8.The study was performed on (30) normal healthy fasting and (30) normal healthy nonfasting individuals in the month of Ramadan (September 2009). Blood samples were obtained after the second week of the fasting and were analyzed for IL-1α , IL-2 , IL-6 and IL-8 .There was a slight elevation in IL-1α , IL-2 and IL-8 and a slight decreasing in IL-6 cytokine level but the differences didn’t reach the degree of significance (P>0.05).Slight elevation of IL-1α , IL-2 , IL-8 and slight decreasing of IL-6 in normal healthy fasting in comparison to normal healthy non-fasting individuals were observed. Thus Ramadan is safe and causes Immunomodulation. Ramadan fasting, Immunomodulation, Interleukins.