Effect of Ramadan fasting on chronic inflammation markers and gut bacterial endotoxins among Egyptian hemodialysis patients.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a state of chronic inflammation. This study aimed to investigate effects of Ramadan fasting on the markers of chronic inflammation and gut bacterial endotoxin levels in maintenance hemodialysis.

Method: A prospective self-controlled observational study included 45 patients. Serum levels of High Sensitive CRP (hsCRP), indoxyl sulfate, and trimethylamine-n-levels were measured within a week before and a week after Ramadan fasting.

Results: Twenty-seven patients have fasted more than 15 days (29 ± 2.2 days). The levels of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (median of 62 mg/L vs. 91 mg/L), trimethylamine-n-oxide (TMAO) (median of 4.5 μmoL/L vs. 17 μmoL/L), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (mean of 98.9 mg/L vs. 111.8 mg/L) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (median of 1.56 vs. 1.59) were significantly lower after Ramadan fasting with p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.04, respectively.

Conclusion: A beneficial effect of Ramadan fasting on levels of bacterial endotoxins and markers of chronic inflammation in hemodialysis patients was observed.