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arXiv · 2307.01491

Ramadan Fasting Model Exerts Hepatoprotective, Anti-obesity, and Anti-Hyperlipidemic Effects in an Experimentally-induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver in Rats

Abeer Alasmari·Abdulrahman Al-Khalifah·Ahmed BaHammam·Hesham Alodah·Ahmad Almnaizel·Noura Alshiban·Maha Alhussain
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Abstract

Background: The epidemic of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its metabolic effects present a serious public health concern. We hypothesized that the Ramadan fasting model (RFM), which involves fasting from dawn to dusk for a month, could provide potential therapeutic benefits and mitigate NAFLD. Accordingly, we aimed to validate this hypothesis using obese male rats. Methods: Rats were split into two groups (n = 24 per group), and they were given either a standard (S) or high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. During the last four weeks of the study period, both S- and HFD-fed rats were subdivided into eight groups to assess the effect of RFM with/without training (T) or glucose administration (G) on the lipid profile, liver enzymes, and liver structure (n=6/group). Results: The HFD+RFM groups exhibited a significantly lower final body weight than that the HFDC group. Serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels were significantly lower in the HFD+RFM, HFD+RFM+T, and HFD+RFM+G groups than those in the HFDC group. Compared with the HFD-fed group, all groups had improved serum high-density lipoprotein levels. Furthermore, HFD groups subjected to RFM had reduced serum levels of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase compared with those of the HFD-fed group. Moreover, the liver histology has improved in rats subjected to RFM compared with that of HFD-fed rats, which exhibited macro and micro fat droplet accumulation. Conclusion: RFM can induce positive metabolic changes and improve alterations associated with NAFLD, including weight gain, lipid profile, liver enzymes, and hepatic steatosis.

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Abeer Alasmari, Abdulrahman Al-Khalifah, Ahmed BaHammam, Hesham Alodah, Ahmad Almnaizel, Noura Alshiban, Maha Alhussain. 2023-07-04. Ramadan Fasting Model Exerts Hepatoprotective, Anti-obesity, and Anti-Hyperlipidemic Effects in an Experimentally-induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver in Rats. https://arxiv.org/abs/2307.01491

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