Effects of Ramadan fasting on serum low-density and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations.

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the status of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in human subjects during Ramadan fasting. Fasting during Ramadan (one month of food and water intake restricted only to night hours) is a religious obligation for Muslims. There are biochemical effects of changes in lifestyle during Ramadan.

Glutathione peroxidase activity and serum selenium concentration in intrinsic asthmatic patients.

Serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and selenium concentration were compared in intrinsic asthmatic patients and non-asthmatic control subjects. Serum GSH-Px activity and selenium concentration were assessed in 46 asthmatic patients and 75 age- and sex-matched non-asthmatic subjects by spectrophotometric assay. Mean serum GSH-Px activity was lower in intrinsic asthmatic subjects (9.