  Background: The epidemic of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its
metabolic effects present a serious public health concern. We hypothesized that
the Ramadan fasting model (RFM), which involves fasting from dawn to dusk for a
month, could provide potential therapeutic benefits and mitigate NAFLD.
Accordingly, we aimed to validate this hypothesis using obese male rats.
Methods: Rats were split into two groups (n = 24 per group), and they were
given either a standard (S) or high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. During the
last four weeks of the study period, both S- and HFD-fed rats were subdivided
into eight groups to assess the effect of RFM with/without training (T) or
glucose administration (G) on the lipid profile, liver enzymes, and liver
structure (n=6/group). Results: The HFD+RFM groups exhibited a significantly
lower final body weight than that the HFDC group. Serum cholesterol,
low-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels were significantly lower in
the HFD+RFM, HFD+RFM+T, and HFD+RFM+G groups than those in the HFDC group.
Compared with the HFD-fed group, all groups had improved serum high-density
lipoprotein levels. Furthermore, HFD groups subjected to RFM had reduced serum
levels of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase compared with those
of the HFD-fed group. Moreover, the liver histology has improved in rats
subjected to RFM compared with that of HFD-fed rats, which exhibited macro and
micro fat droplet accumulation. Conclusion: RFM can induce positive metabolic
changes and improve alterations associated with NAFLD, including weight gain,
lipid profile, liver enzymes, and hepatic steatosis.

Tissues and Organs