Intermittent fasting (IF) is associated with enormous metabolic alterations that underpin its diverse health effects. Changes in lipid metabolism, particularly
ceramides, and other
sphingolipids, are among the most notable of these alterations. This study investigated the lipidomic alterations associated with 29-30 days of Ramadan diurnal intermittent fasting (RIF) in metabolically healthy
overweight and obese subjects. A prospective cohort of 57
overweight and obese adults (70% males, 38.4 ± 11.2 years), with an age range of 18-58 years was observed prior to and at the conclusion of Ramadan. At both time points, anthropometric, biochemical (
lipid profile, glycemic, and inflammatory markers), and dietary intake measurements were taken. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, a lipidomic analysis of
ceramides and other
sphingolipids was conducted. Using paired sample t-tests, pre- and post-Ramadan anthropometric, biochemical, and dietary values were compared. RIF was associated with improved levels of
lipid profile compartments and inflammatory markers. In addition, RIF was associated with a decrease in plasma
sphingosine and
sphinganine, which was accompanied by a decrease in
sphingosine 1-phosphate and
sphinganine 1-phosphate. In addition, RIF was associated with decreased C17, C22, and C24
sphingomyelin, but not C14, C16, C18, C20, and C24:1
sphingomyelin, as well as C20, C22, C24, and C24:1 dihydrosphingomyelin, but not C16 and C18 dihydrosphingomyelin. This study demonstrates that RIF is associated with improvements in plasma
sphingosine,
sphinganine sphingomyelin, and dihydrosphingomyelin
lipid species, as well as improved
lipid profile and inflammatory markers, which may confer short-term protection against cardiometabolic problems in patients with
overweight/
obesity.