International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-78021012019012320087802ENDepartment of Nutrition, Persian Gulf Tropical Medicine Research Center, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, BushehrDepartment of Laboratory Technology, Paramedical Faculty, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, BushehrDepartment of Nutrition,Student Research Committee, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, BushehrDepartment of Nutrition,Student Research Committee, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, BushehrDepartment of Nutrition,Student Research Committee, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, BushehrDepartment of Nutrition,Student Research Committee, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr20190123<p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Background</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Insulin‑like growth factor‑1 (IGF‑1) and interleukin‑2 (IL‑2) play an essential role in pathophysiology of several chronic diseases. As a stressor, fasting in Ramadan may increase inflammatory markers such as IGF‑1 and IL‑2 in Muslims. The aim of this before–after study was to<br />investigate the effects of fasting in Ramadan on IGF‑1 and IL‑2 levels in individuals. </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Methods</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">In all, 34 men age 16–64 years were selected out of the overall number of individuals who were ready for fasting entirely throughout Ramadan. A sample of blood was drawn from the contributors before<br />and after Ramadan, and plasma IGF‑1, IL‑2, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high‑density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‑C), and low‑density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‑C) were determined. To identify differences between the initial and fnal values of test results of the study for plasma IGF‑1, IL‑2, and lipid parameters, we used paired sample </span><span class="fontstyle3">T</span><span class="fontstyle2">‑test. </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Results</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Paired sample </span><span class="fontstyle3">T</span><span class="fontstyle2">‑test illustrated a signifcant decrease in IGF‑1 and IL‑2 levels after Ramadan fasting compared to before Ramadan. The concentration of TG, cholesterol, and LDL‑C levels underwent signifcant<br />decreases over the period of the study. HDL‑C levels did not change signifcantly during the study. A signifcant decrease in weight, waist circumferences, calorie, carbohydrate, and fat intake were<br />observed in participants during Ramadan fasting. </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Conclusions</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">It is concluded that fasting in Ramadan independent of anthropometric measures attenuates inflammation and is benefciary to<br />health.<br /></span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0" style="color: #00652e;"><strong>Keywords</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle3">Fasting, insulin‑like growth factor‑1, lipids</span></p>http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/1994http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/1994/717717814