Bita Saifi - Assistant Professor, Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran.
Nastaran Dousti majd - General Practitioner, Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty Of Medicine , Mashhad Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran.
Mojtaba Meshkat - Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Faculty Of Medicine, Mashhad Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran.
Arian Amali - Student Research Committee, Paramedical Department, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad Branch, Mashhad, Iran.

Introduction: Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar year, in which Muslims avoid eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. Insulin-like growth factor ۱ (IGF۱) is a small peptide circulating in the blood. IGF۱ is essential in regulating proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and transformation. Studies have shown that a slight increase in IGF۱ levels increases the risk of prostate, breast, colon, and lung cancer. This study evaluated the effects of fasting with regular consumption patterns and food avoidance on serum IGF۱ concentration in healthy subjects before and after fasting. Methods: A total of ۴۰ healthy adults aged ۱۸-۵۵ years who fasted for about ۱۶ hours a day and at least ۲۰-۲۵ days in Ramadan were included. The first sample was collected one week before Ramadan, and the second was obtained at the end of Ramadan. After taking ۲cc of whole venous blood, sera were isolated, and IGF۱ concentration was calculated by quantitative ELISA method using a DiaMetra kit. Results: There were ۴۰ participants in the study, ۳۱ of whom were female, and nine were male. The mean IGF۱ before and after fasting was ۱۹۸.۶ ± ۷۷.۹ and ۱۴۶.۳ ± ۴۴.۵ ng/ml, respectively, with a ۵۲ ng/ml difference. Conclusion: Based on the results, fasting reduces the level of IGF۱, indicating the benefits of fasting because of limiting the harmful effects of a risk factor for some diseases.

Insulin-like growth hormone, adults, IGF۱, Weight loss, Intermittent Fasting