Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Alanine Transferase (ALT) in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Poursina Hakim Research Institute for Health Care Development, Isfahan, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: The effects of Ramadan fasting on NAFLD are unknown and there are very limited studies have done in this area. Some nutritional and behavioral changes of fasting people in Ramadan can affect NAFLD. These include nutrition with high fat and calories, altering in weight and sleep and low physical activity. We decided to evaluate the effects of these changes on one of the important indicators of deterioration of NAFLD, ALT. Methods: Sixty patients with fatty liver disease performed two consecutive ALT exams before and after Ramadan month of whom finally 34 were fasting and 26 nonfasting. After collecting data they were divided in two groups of fasting and nonfasting and compared using SPSS software. Results: Mean ALT change from before to after Ramadan was higher and positive in fasting (+7.38±8.47 IU/L) compared to nonfastng patients that was negative (-0.12±10.15 IU/L) (P=0.002) and this change was mainly in patients who had fasted 21-30 days. Conclusion: Ramadan fasting may increase ALT. It is needed to perform more studies in patients with NAFLD during Ramadan fasting with larger sample size and in various conditions especially weight loss with patients’ education for observing dietary regimen.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Nutrition,Fasting and Health
Volume 5, Issue 3
September 2017
Pages 107-112

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History

  • Receive Date: 27 June 2017
  • Revise Date: 28 July 2017
  • Accept Date: 08 August 2017

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