Intermittent Fasting During Ramadan Increases the Absolute Number of Circulating Progenitor Stem Cells in Healthy Subjects.
Abstract
Fasting regimens have shown profound impact on pro-longevity and tissue regeneration in diverse species. Physiological events can induce a regenerative response in adult stem cells. However, little is known about signaling and activation of adult stem cells which are modulated by fasting. This study analyzed the presence of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) and their circulation in the peripheral blood (PB) of healthy male adults practicing Ramadan fasting. Ten healthy male volunteers were enrolled in this prospective observational study. PB samples were collected twice daily on days 0, 10, 20, and 30 of Ramadan fasting (RF). Populations of stem cells and serum soluble factors were analyzed by flow cytometry. As a response to RF, we report an increase in the average absolute count of circulating of HSPCs, defined as LIN
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Research summary
The paper investigates the effects of Ramadan fasting on circulating progenitor stem cells, which is relevant to understanding mechanisms that may influence longevity and tissue regeneration. However, the study's small sample size and observational nature limit its impact, making it a solid but not groundbreaking contribution to the field. The findings may provide insights into fasting's role in stem cell dynamics, but they do not directly address the root causes of aging or significantly advance the understanding of longevity mechanisms.
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