Karras Spyridon N, Michalakis Konstantinos, Katsiki Niki, Kypraiou Maria, Vlastos Antonios, Anemoulis Marios, Koukoulis Georgios, Mouslech Zadalla, Talidis Filotas, Tzimagiorgis Georgios, Haitoglou Costas, Georgios Μichos, Papanikolaou Evangelos G, Dimitrios Skoutas, Georgopoulos Neoklis
Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
Endocrine Practice, Department of Obesity and Metabolism, 11521 Athens, Greece.
Nutrients. 2025 Mar 26;17(7):1144. doi: 10.3390/nu17071144.
Athonian fasting, a rigorous form of intermittent fasting practiced by Christian Orthodox nuns and a subset of the Mediterranean diet, has known health benefits, but its impact on the interplay of adipokines, inflammatory cytokines, and vitamin D status remains under-investigated. This study aimed to elucidate these relationships within this controlled dietary context. This cross-sectional study examined the interplay of leptin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and vitamin D in 41 overweight, vitamin D-sufficient Christian Orthodox nuns practicing Athonian fasting. Anthropometric, biochemical, and inflammatory markers were assessed in the nuns (mean age 53.4 ± 17.1 years, median monastery stay 17 years, median BMI 26.8 kg/m). Analysis revealed significant positive correlations between age and monastery stay (r = 0.615, < 0.001), age and visceral fat (ρ = 0.791, < 0.001), age and IL-6 (ρ = 0.647, < 0.001), and BMI and IL-6 (ρ = 0.622, < 0.001). Strong associations existed between adiposity (BMI, body fat, visceral fat), leptin, and IL-6. Specifically, body fat showed substantial positive correlations with visceral fat (ρ = 0.858, < 0.001), leptin (ρ = 0.538, < 0.001), and IL-6 (ρ = 0.675, < 0.001). Visceral fat demonstrated strong positive correlations with leptin (ρ = 0.613, < 0.001) and IL-6 (ρ = 0.741, < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was also observed between leptin and IL-6 (ρ = 0.507, = 0.003). Conversely, a significant negative correlation was found between 25(OH)D and PTH (ρ = -0.380, = 0.016). Multivariate regression analysis did not reveal independent effects of leptin or IL-6 after adjusting for other factors. This study reveals a complex interplay of adiposity, inflammation, and vitamin D status in this unique population of Orthodox monastery fasters. The strong correlations suggest potential targets for interventions aimed at improving metabolic health. Future research should investigate the effects of vitamin D within the context of Athonian fasting.
阿索斯山禁食是东正教修女所践行的一种严格的间歇性禁食形式，也是地中海饮食的一个子集，已知对健康有益，但其对脂肪因子、炎性细胞因子和维生素D状态之间相互作用的影响仍研究不足。本研究旨在阐明在这种可控饮食背景下的这些关系。这项横断面研究调查了41名超重、维生素D充足且践行阿索斯山禁食的东正教修女体内瘦素、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）和维生素D之间的相互作用。对这些修女的人体测量学、生化和炎症指标进行了评估（平均年龄53.4±17.1岁，在修道院停留的中位数为17年，BMI中位数为26.8kg/m）。分析显示年龄与在修道院停留时间之间存在显著正相关（r = 0.615，P < 0.001），年龄与内脏脂肪之间存在显著正相关（ρ = 0.791，P < 0.001），年龄与IL-6之间存在显著正相关（ρ = 0.647，P < 0.001），BMI与IL-6之间存在显著正相关（ρ = 0.622，P < 0.001）。肥胖（BMI、体脂、内脏脂肪）、瘦素和IL-6之间存在强关联。具体而言，体脂与内脏脂肪（ρ = 0.858，P < 0.001）、瘦素（ρ = 0.538，P < 0.001）和IL-6（ρ = 0.675，P < 0.001）之间呈现出显著正相关。内脏脂肪与瘦素（ρ = 0.613，P < 0.001）和IL-6（ρ = 0.741，P < 0.001）之间呈现出强正相关。瘦素与IL-6之间也观察到显著正相关（ρ = 0.507，P = 0.003）。相反，发现25(OH)D与甲状旁腺激素之间存在显著负相关（ρ = -0.380，P = 0.016）。多因素回归分析在调整其他因素后未显示瘦素或IL-6的独立作用。本研究揭示了在这个独特的东正教修道院禁食人群中，肥胖、炎症和维生素D状态之间存在复杂的相互作用。这些强相关性表明了旨在改善代谢健康的干预措施的潜在靶点。未来的研究应在阿索斯山禁食的背景下研究维生素D的作用。
