Catecholamine levels in a Ramadan fasting model in rats: a case control study

Abstract

Eating habits as well as physical exercise are very important for a healthy lifespan. Ramadan-type fasting, which is food and water avoidance during the daylight period for four weeks, has drawn attention due to its positive impacts on metabolism and health. The aim of this study was to compare the blood and urine catecholamine (CA) levels in fasting and non-fasting rats, in terms of stress response. A total of 20 male rats were randomly divided into a fasting group and a control group. Four weeks later, blood and urine samples were taken after decapitation. Analysis of CAs was done using high-performance liquid chromatography with florescence detection (HPLC-FLD). The dopamine (DA), adrenaline (ADR) and noradrenaline (NA) blood and urine concentrations were found to be higher in the fasting group compared to the control group, but the difference was statistically significant only for the blood DA levels (p < 0.05). In the fasting group, the blood values of ADR and NA correlated with each other but not with the DA levels, whereas there was correlation among the urine levels of DA, ADR and NA. In the control group, the blood and urine values of DA, ADR and NA correlated with each other. The differences observed in the blood and urine CAs indicate a specific regulation of CAs in Ramadan-type fasting, which needs to be investigated thoroughly in future studies.

Islamic Fasting Models but not Only Ramadan Improved Metabolic Parameter in High-Fat-High-Fructose-Induced Rats

“…However, interestingly, based on the available evidence shows that the use of HFHF has a synergistic effect in inducing metabolic syndrome in experimental animals [5]. In addition, rats are nocturnal animals that are more suitable for fasting to be carried out at night [5], [21].…”

Immunomorphometric variations of sustentacular cells of the male viscacha adrenal medulla during the annual reproductive cycle. Effects of androgens and melatonin

“…Food and water availability are important factors that determine the species survival. It has been suggested that prolonged fasting and hydric restriction produce changes in the synthesis and liberation of catecholamines (Landsberg, 2006;Bucaktepe et al, 2016). Catecholamines play a major role in the adaptation to low temperatures through non-shivering thermogenesis, which involves the regulation of blood flow, heart rate and an increment of the basal metabolism of highly calorigenic tissues like brown addipose tissue and muscles (Janský, 1963;Rowland et al, 2015).…”