Abstract



Aims: We hypothesized that if we control for food composition, caloric intake, light exposure, sleep schedule, and exercise, intermittent fasting would not influence the circadian pattern of melatonin. Therefore, we designed this study to assess the effect of intermittent fasting on the circadian pattern of melatonin.

Methods: Eight healthy volunteers with a mean age of 26.6 ± 4.9 years and body mass index of 23.7 ± 3.5 kg/m2 reported to the Sleep Disorders Center (the laboratory) on four occasions: (1) adaptation, (2) 4 weeks before Ramadan while performing Islamic intermittent fasting for 1 week (fasting outside Ramadan [FOR]), (3) 1 week before Ramadan (nonfasting baseline [BL]), and (4) during the 2nd week of Ramadan while fasting (Ramadan). The plasma levels of melatonin were measured using enzyme-linked immunoassays at 22:00, 02:00, 04:00, 06:00, and 11:00 h. The light exposure, meal composition, energy expenditure, and sleep schedules remained the same while the participants stayed at the laboratory.

Results: The melatonin levels followed the same circadian pattern during the three monitoring periods (BL, FOR, and Ramadan). The peak melatonin level was at 02:00 h and the trough level was at 11:00 h in all studied periods. Lower melatonin levels at 22:00 h were found during fasting compared to BL. Cosinor analysis revealed no significant changes in the acrophase of melatonin levels.

Conclusions: In this preliminary report, under controlled conditions of light exposure, meal composition, energy expenditure, and sleep-wake schedules, intermittent fasting has no significant influence on the circadian pattern of melatonin.



Keywords: Circadian rhythm, fasting, light exposure, meals, Ramadan, sleep

How to cite this article:

Almeneessier AS, Bahammam AS, Sharif MM, Bahammam SA, Nashwan SZ, Pandi Perumal SR, Cardinali DP, Alzoghaibi M. The influence of intermittent fasting on the circadian pattern of melatonin while controlling for caloric intake, energy expenditure, light exposure, and sleep schedules: A preliminary report. Ann Thorac Med 2017;12:183-90

How to cite this URL:

Almeneessier AS, Bahammam AS, Sharif MM, Bahammam SA, Nashwan SZ, Pandi Perumal SR, Cardinali DP, Alzoghaibi M. The influence of intermittent fasting on the circadian pattern of melatonin while controlling for caloric intake, energy expenditure, light exposure, and sleep schedules: A preliminary report. Ann Thorac Med [serial online] 2017 [cited 2020 Sep 21];12:183-90. Available from: http://www.thoracicmedicine.org/text.asp?2017/12/3/183/210597

Methods

Figure 1: Study protocol



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Results

Table 1: Sleep pattern while at home



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Table 2: Sleep parameters and energy expenditure during monitoring at the Sleep Disorders Center (the laboratory)



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Figure 2: Circadian pattern of plasma melatonin concentrations in eight healthy male volunteers before and during Ramadan daytime fasting. Each point represents the mean and standard deviation of eight participants. Values at baseline ( ), baseline fasting before Ramadan ( ), and Ramadan (-▴-) are presented. The dark-headed arrows indicate the meal time during fasting (Ramadan and baseline fasting), and the white-headed arrows indicate the meal time during baseline. ( ) indicates awake, and ( ) indicates sleep



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Table 3: Cosinor summary of plasma melatonin circadian rhythm during baseline, baseline fasting, and Ramadan



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Discussion

Conclusion

References

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