title: [Cortisol rhythm during the month of Ramadan].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Endocrinologie, Métabolisme et Nutrition, Institut National de Nutrition, Tunis (Tunisie).
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ben Salem
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bchir
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bouguerra
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ben Slama
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone