Ramadan fasting induces modifications of certain serum components in obese women with type 2 diabetes

To examine the effect of fasting during Ramadan on certain serum components such as fasting serum glucose (FSG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), high density lipoproteins (HDL-C), and low density lipoproteins (LDL-C) parameters in obese women patients with type 2 diabetes. We conducted the study in Petit-Vichy Diabetology Center, Sidi-Bel-Abbes, Algeria from October 2003 to March 2004, on 60 obese outpatient women (BMI = 35.41 +/- 3.64 kg/m2), aged 51 +/- 10 years, who had diabetes for 5 +/- 2.5 years. The patients followed no specific diet, on medications, and presenting no degenerative complications. We carried out the study over 3 periods: before (pre-fasting), during (fasting), and after Ramadan month (post-fasting). Comparing Ramadan (fasting period) with non-Ramadan days (pre- and post-fasting periods), we observed significant decreases in FSG (16.72%, p