Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2025
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Impact of Lingnan Fire-Needle Therapy in Osteoporosis Intervention
Published on: April 26, 2024
Ramadan fasting and exercise combination therapy: A novel approach for osteoporosis prevention in ovariectomized rats
Tarfa Albrahim1, Raghad Alangry1, Raghad Alotaibi1
1Department of Health Sciences, Clinical Nutrition, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Background:
Osteoporosis is a chronic bone metabolic disease that affects millions of people worldwide, particularly the elderly and postmenopausal women. It is characterized by weakened bones, increasing the risk of fractures and leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The goal of the current study is to examine the reported osteo-preservative effects of exercise and/or fasting in the Ramadan fasting model (RFM) in ovariectomized (OVX) rats.
Methods:
The experimental intervention started 1 month following the ovariectomy procedure and consisted of five 15-min exercise sessions per week at 18-25 m/min and/or an approximately 13-h fast from sunrise to sunset (6:00 AM-19:00 PM). Serum bone metabolism biomarker levels were measured, and mineral concentrations in femoral ashed bones and digested serum were determined. Additionally, serum bone alkaline phosphatase (b-ALP), parathyroid hormone, osteocalcin, calcitonin, and vitamin D3 concentrations were measured using the competitive enzyme immunoassay technique.
Results:
Calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus showed a notable decrease in mineral concentration among OVX rat femurs compared with the combination group (OVX + RFM + E) and control groups. In addition, homeostasis of serum concentrations of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus was observed to increase in the OVX + RFM + E group rather than in the OVX group without intervention when compared with a control group. Furthermore, fasting and exercise, either alone or concurrently with ovariectomy, induced a non-significant elevation in osteocalcin, parathyroid hormone, and vitamin D3, whereas b-ALP and calcitonin increased significantly compared with those in control rats.
Conclusion:
The combination of the Ramadan fasting model and moderate intensity exercises among OVX rats manifested advantageous effects in bone biomarkers compared with OVX rats without intervention. This could be recommended as a lifestyle modification that is protective against osteoporosis, especially in the context of depleted estrogen hormone after menopause.
