The Effect of Acute Intermittent Fasting on Blood Pressure, Inflammation Markers and Metabolic Parameters

Abstract

Obesity is increasingly common in post-industrial societies and poses a threat to public health. The main reason for the accumulation of excess adipose tissue is a violation of human energy balance. Modification of eating behavior is the basis for prevention and treatment of obesity and overweight. The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of acute fasting, over 16 hours in overweight and obese young and middle-aged people, on the level of highly sensitive C-reactive protein, interleukin 1-beta, blood lipids, fasting glucose, daily blood pressure and tolerability. Materials and methods. A prospective study was conducted involving 21 overweight and obese patients with a median age of 51 (28 ÷ 61) years. All hypertensive patients received stable antihypertensive therapy for three months and had office blood pressure targets at enrollment. A daily blood pressure study was performed in all patients using Heaco ABPM50. The test of rational nutrition with the calculation of daily calories was conducted using the program TRP-D02 Ukraine. All patients were tested for fasting glucose, blood lipids, creatinine, and C-reactive protein. All studies were conducted at the beginning and after intermittent fasting. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS IBM 19.0. Results and discussion. The level of inflammation markers was assessed in all study participants, the level of highly sensitive C-reactive protein decreased from 10.591±8.679 mg/l to 4.861±3.239 mg/l (p >0.05), and the initial level of interleukin-1 beta was 2.704±0.671 pg/ml, which did not change significantly after intermittent fasting – 2.607±0.698 pg/ml (p <0.05). Study participants were divided into two groups, the older age group with body mass index of 32.6±5.0 kg/m2 and the young age group with body mass index of 23.9±2.8 kg/m2 (p <0.01). It was found that after intermittent fasting, the level of triglycerides decreased from 1.8±0.8 to 1.5±0.3 (p = 0.05) mmol/l in the older age group. It was found that during fasting daytime systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased, and night systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased (p >0.05) in two groups. A balanced diet is a basis for preventing and treating obesity and overweight. A low-calorie diet is often recommended, but not all patients can follow this regimen. A new and alternative method is intermittent fasting with greater adherence in patients. However, there is insufficient data in the world literature on the effects of intermittent fasting, especially acute fasting, on inflammation, blood pressure and tolerability of the fasting period in different age groups. Conclusion. Acute intermittent fasting leads to changes in blood pressure, does not cause hypotension and is well tolerated by overweight and obese patients in the older age group