Postgrad Med J 1985
May;61(715):395-400
Increased plasma triglycerides,
cholesterol and apolipoprotein E during prolonged fasting in normal subjects.
Markel A, Brook JG, Aviram M
Plasma lipid and high density
lipoprotein (HDL) levels were studied in 20 normal, healthy, non-obese males while fasting
(150 kcal/d with free intake of water) for 6 d in a hunger strike. Plasma triglyceride and
cholesterol levels were increased by 18% after 6 d of fasting. HDL-cholesterol
concentration was not significantly changed for 4 d, but decreased by 22% after 6 d.
Platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) or collagen after 6 d of
fasting was in the normal range. In 3 subjects fasted for 9 d, a complete plasma
lipoprotein analysis was done. Very low and low density lipoprotein (VLDL and LDL) levels
were elevated, whereas HDL was reduced after 9 d of fasting. On isoelectric focusing
analysis, a marked reduction in apolipoprotein (apo)
E concentration in both VLDL and HDL was noted. Liver function tests showed a reduction in
hepatic enzyme activity; and since apo E is of hepatic origin also, we suggest that long
fasting inhibits liver function in normal subjects.
PMID: 4022874, UI: 85270132 |