Effect of Ramadan Fasting on the Ability of Serum, PBMC and Macrophages from Healthy Subjects to Kill M. Tuberculosis

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether Ramadan fasting (RF) alters the ability of serum, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and macrophages to kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb). Methods: Thirty healthy male volunteers who fasted during Ramadan participated in the study. Blood sampling was conducted seven days before and on the seventh and 21st day of Ramadan. The following parameters were measured by ELISA: Complement C3, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in serum and PBMC. The killing ability of immune components from these volunteers was determined by measuring colony-forming units (CFUs). Results: The CFU in PBMC infected with M. tb (PIM) and macrophages infected with M. tb (MIM) decreased on the seventh day of RF compared with that observed before RF. The CFUs in serum infected with M. tb (SIM) increased and CFUs in MIM decreased on the 21st day of RF compared with before RF. The levels of iNOS in serum and the CFUs in MIM decreased and the CFUs in SIM and PIM increased on the 21st day of RF compared with the seventh day of RF. The levels of iNOS in PBMC significantly increased (p<0.05) on the seventh and 21st day of Ramadan compared with before RF. The other differences were not significantly different. Conclusions: This study suggests that RF has a beneficial effect on host defence against M. tb and decreases the risk of tuberculosis (TB) infection in healthy subjects.