The Effect of Ramadan Fast on Serum liver Enzyme Levels in Iranian Adults

Background & Aims : Ramadan fasting has numerous health benefits. Nevertheless, its beneficial role on liver function was evaluated by limited studies and different findings were recorded. So, this study aimed to define the effect of Ramadan Fasting on liver enzyme levels in Iranian healthy individuals. Materials & Methods : Seventy healthy adult men without history of liver diseases and current usage of any medication affecting the liver were involved in the present survey. Anthropometric parameters and liver function tests were measured before and after Ramadan. The biochemical parameters including liver enzymes Aspartate aminotransferase (ALT), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) were evaluated before and after Ramadan by the standard enzymatic method. Results: A decrease was observed in mean level of all liver enzymes. Indeed, the significant mean decrease in the ALT values in the post-Ramadan analyses was observed in the pre-Ramadan (p < 0.01). The values of ALP and AST decreased at the end of the study in the post-Ramadan group versus pre-Ramadan, but mean of the changes did not reach a significant level. Conclusion: The changes in the concentrations of liver enzymes showed remarkable differences between groups. These data confirmed that Ramadan Fasting improved liver function in healthy adults and might be valuable in the management of liver function.