Effect of Ramadan on neutrophil's respiratory burst (innate immunity) and circulating immune complex.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Ramadan fasting on neutrophil's respiratory burst and circulating immune complex (CIC) level. METHODS The effects of Ramadan fasting on neutrophil's respiratory burst and CIC was studied in 21 normal young fasting Muslim individuals using standardized chemiluminescence and poly ethylene glycol methods respectively, the results obtained and statistically analysed. RESULTS It was shown that in 11 cases out of 21 (52%) both of the chemiluminescence (CL) activity and CIC levels measured before and after Ramadan fasting were in normal range in spite of a insignificant decrease or increase in CL activity or CIC level. Therefore, the changes of the immunological parameters were not significant and the levels remained in the range of normal. In four cases out of 21 (24%), the CL activity and CIC levels were higher than normal range measured just before Ramadan, however after month of Ramadan the CL activity and CIC level decreased reaching to the normal level of these parameters. In four cases out of 21 (24%) there were an increase in CL activity and CIC levels after Ramadan fasting. CONCLUSION There were no significant changes of CL activity of circulating neutrophils and CIC levels comparing the results obtained before and after Ramadan. More over there was a good correlation between these two immunological parameters measured in the present study.