Effects of fasting on disease activity, neutrophil function, fatty acid composition, and leukotriene biosynthesis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Fourteen patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were studied before, during, and after a 1-week total fast. Disease activity decreased, as did the neutrophil release of lysozyme induced by the ionophore A23187. The ability of zymosan-activated RA patient serum to aggregate control neutrophils was reduced, together with serum concentrations of C3. The relative contents of arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid were increased in serum, platelets, and neutrophils, whereas levels of linoleic acid and linolenic acid were unchanged. Fasting also reduced the release of leukotriene B, from neutrophils. We thus conclude that a reduced ability to generate cytotaxins, reduced release of enzyme, and reduced leukotriene formation from RA neutrophils, together with an altered fatty acid composition of membrane phospholipids, may be mechanisms for the decrease of inflammatory symptoms that results from fasting.From the Rheumatology and Hematology Sections, Department of Medicine 111,

Circulating Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin Type 9 Has a Diurnal Rhythm Synchronous With Cholesterol Synthesis and Is Reduced by Fasting in Humans

“…We analyzed samples from 2 experiments in which subjects had fasted for 2 or 7 days, respectively 23,24 ; and found that PCSK9 levels were reduced by 70% to 80% ( Figure 3A and 3D). In parallel, serum lathosterol levels were reduced by 50% to 60% ( Figure 3B and 3E), again showing a parallel regulation with PCSK9.…”

“…23 Fasting for 7 days (starvation) ( Figure 3D-3F) was studied in samples from a previous study, 24 in which 5 women with rheumatoid arthritis underwent evaluation for effects on disease activity.…”

Nutrient intake patterns, body mass index, and vitamin levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

“…These subjects, relative to those on an "ordinary" diet throughout the trial, experienced significant improvement in the number of swollen and tender joints, pain score, duration of morning stiffness, grip strength, ESR, and scores on the Health Assessment Questionnaire. Theories about the mechanism of improvement with fasting have included the effects of weight loss, alterations in fecal flora, and alterations in inflammatory cell activity (20)(21)(22)(23). Kjeldsen-Kragh et a1 and Darlington and Ramsey indicated that improvements in disease activity are independent of changes in weight (15,19).…”

Calorie Restricted Diet and Urinary Pentosidine in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…Recently, Takahashi et al (1997) reported that the serum and urine levels of the pentosidine are correlated with the RA activity and then proposed that the serum and urine pentosidine might be a significant novel marker for evaluating RA disease status. In addition, dietary regimens such as fasting, caloric restriction, or vegetarian diet have the beneficial effects by improving symptoms of patients with RA (Beri D, 1988;Hafström, 1998;Kjeldsen-Kragh J, 1991). In the present study, the urine level of pentosidine in patients was significantly higher than that of control females.…”

“…Dietary regimens such as fasting, caloric restriction, or a vegetarian diet have the beneficial effects of improving the symptoms of patients with RA (Beri D, 1988;Forre, 1991;Hafström, 1998;KjeldsenKragh J, 1991;Sköldstam et al, 1979;Stroud, 1983;Udén et al, 1983).…”