Beneficial changes in serum apo A-1 and its ratio to apo B and HDL in stable hyperlipidaemic subjects after Ramadan fasting in Kuwait

In patients with metabolic and nutritional disorders such as diabetes and hyperlipidaemia, where strict compliance to advice on timing and composition of food intake is important, the prolonged daylight fasting during the month of Ramadan could produce undesirable biochemical consequences. The study aimed to compare pre- and post-Ramadan lipid and lipoprotein profiles in stable Kuwaiti hyperlipidaemic subjects attending a Lipid Clinic. The study population comprised 64 adult Kuwaitis (33 M, 31 F) who had been attending a Lipid Clinic for at least 12 months and were considered stable, without any acute systemic illness. At each clinic visit, the following parameters were measured: weight, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), HDL, LDL, apo A-1, apo B, glucose and uric acid. These biochemical parameters were measured by routine automated analyzer techniques. The pre-Ramadan values comprised the means of two measurements taken at about 3 month and 1 month before commencement of Ramadan. Post-Ramadan values were obtained within 1 month of the end of the Ramadan fast. The parameters so obtained were compared in the whole group, and then according to gender, glycaemic status and modality of treatment (diet alone or with a fibrate or statin). In the nondiabetic subjects, apo A-1 and apo A-1/apo B and apo A-1/HDL ratios were increased post-Ramadan (P