Effect of Acute Maximal Exercise on Circulating Levels of Interleukin-12 during Ramadan Fasting

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Ramadan fasting on circulating levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12) after a brief maximal exercise. METHODS: Nine subjects performed a Wingate test on three different occasions: (i) the first week of Ramadan (1WR), (ii) the fourth week of Ramadan (4WR), and (iii) three weeks after Ramadan (AR). Blood samples were taken before, immediately and 60 min after the exercise. Plasma concentrations of IL-12 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Variance analysis revealed no significant effect of Ramadan on P(peak) and P(mean) during the three testing periods. RESULTS: Considering the effect of Ramadan on plasma concentrations of IL-12, analysis of the variance revealed a significant Ramadan effect (F((2,) (16))=66.27; P < 0.001) as well as a significant time effect (F((2,) (16))= 120.66; P < 0.001). However, no significant (Ramadan × time) of test interaction (F((4,) (32))=2.40; P>0.05). For all measures, IL-12 levels were lower during 1WR and 4WR in comparison with AR (P < 0.05). Considering the exercise effects, IL-12 levels measured immediately after the exercise were significantly higher than those measured before and at 60 minutes after the exercise (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that an acute intense exercise-induced IL-12 response is modified by daytime fasting and modifications in sleep schedule during Ramadan.