[Cortisol rhythm during the month of Ramadan].
We studied the nyctohemeral cortisol secretion rhythm and the cortisol response to 1-24 corticotropin during Ramadan in 11 healthy, male volunteers aged 20-35 years. Their response to 250 mg 1-24 corticotropin was investigated 2 weeks before Ramadan by testing daily at 08:00 and 20:00 hours. After 16-22 days of fasting, their cortisol levels were measured at 08:00 hours and their response to 1-24 corticotropin at 20:00 hours. Before Ramadan, the baseline cortisol level was significantly higher at 08:00 hours than at 20:00 hours and the cortisol response to 1-24 corticotropin was also higher at 08:00 hours but this difference was not significant. During Ramadan, the cortisol level at 08:00 hours was lower than at the same time before Ramadan; the level at 20:00 hours was slightly higher than at the same time before Ramadan. There was no significant difference between the cortisol response to 1-24 corticotropin at 20:00 hours during Ramadan and the responses before Ramadan at 20:00 hours and 08:00 hours.
Ben Salem
L
L
Service d'Endocrinologie, Métabolisme et Nutrition, Institut National de Nutrition, Tunis (Tunisie).
Bchir
S
S
Bouguerra
R
R
Ben Slama
C
C
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D000328:Adult; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D005215:Fasting / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D007514:Islam; D008297:Male; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014416:Tunisia; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone