Volume 49, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Research in Medicine 2025, 49(2): 0-0 |
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Ghorbanian B, Fakhrpour R, Behmanesh A, Izadi A. The Effect of Eight Weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training Combined with Saffron Extract Supplementation on Serum Levels of Inflammatory Markers TNF-α and CRP in Overweight Men. Research in Medicine 2025; 49 (2)
URL: http://pejouhesh.sbmu.ac.ir/article-1-3461-en.html
URL: http://pejouhesh.sbmu.ac.ir/article-1-3461-en.html
Shahid Madani University of Azerbaijan , b.gorbanian@gmail.com
Abstract: (9 Views)
Abstract
Aim: Obesity and overweight are associated with increased low-level chronic inflammation, which can predispose to metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, identifying effective, natural, and non-pharmacological interventions to reduce inflammation is of great importance. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been recognized as one of the effective methods in improving metabolic health and reducing inflammatory markers. Also, saffron has attracted the attention of researchers due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the combined effect of HIIT training and saffron supplementation on inflammatory factors has been less studied. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the simultaneous effect of HIIT training and saffron consumption on TNF-α and CRP levels in overweight men.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. Forty overweight men (with a body mass index between 25 and 29.9) were selected through a public call and randomly assigned to four equal groups. 1: HIIT training with placebo 2: HIIT training with saffron supplementation 3: saffron supplementation without training 4: control group (no training or supplementation). To implement the protocol, the saffron supplementation group and the HIIT + saffron supplementation group consumed one 30 mg capsule of saffron dry extract daily for eight weeks in a single-blind manner. The HIIT + placebo group also received an empty capsule daily for the same period. Also, the HIIT + placebo and HIIT + supplementation groups performed three HIIT training sessions per week for eight weeks. The control group only engaged in their daily activities. Pre-test measurements were taken before the start of the interventions and post-test measurements were taken 48 hours after the last training session and supplementation. Blood samples were taken by a laboratory expert and serum TNF-α and CRP levels were measured using ELISA and Podgin-Teb kits. For data analysis, paired t-test was used for intragroup comparison and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to examine between-group differences. The statistical significance level in all analyses was set at 0.05.
Results: After eight weeks of intervention, a significant decrease in TNF-α levels was observed in the exercise + supplement group (0.64 ± 0.15; P = 0.001). Also, in this group, CRP levels also showed a significant decrease (4.87 ± 0.44; P = 0.001). In the HIIT exercise alone group, no significant change was observed in TNF-α (0.95 ± 0.28; P = 0.42). However, a decrease in CRP (5.92 ± 0.52; P = 0.037) was observed. Also, in the saffron supplement group, no significant change was observed in TNF-α (1.18 ± 0.24; P = 0.89) but a significant decrease in CRP (5.82 ± 0.66; P = 0.001) was reported. In the control group, no significant change was observed in these indicators (P > 0.05). The between-group comparison also showed a significant difference in favor of the combined group (P>0.05). These findings indicated that the combination of high-intensity interval training and saffron extract supplementation had a greater effect on reducing inflammatory markers and improving body composition than either intervention alone.
Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that combining high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with saffron supplementation significantly reduced TNF-α and CRP levels and weight loss in overweight men. The anti-inflammatory effects were greater in the combined group than in the other groups. Given these results, it is suggested that the simultaneous use of exercise interventions and herbal supplements and saffron extract can be considered as a non-pharmacological approach to improve inflammation associated with overweight.
Aim: Obesity and overweight are associated with increased low-level chronic inflammation, which can predispose to metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, identifying effective, natural, and non-pharmacological interventions to reduce inflammation is of great importance. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been recognized as one of the effective methods in improving metabolic health and reducing inflammatory markers. Also, saffron has attracted the attention of researchers due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the combined effect of HIIT training and saffron supplementation on inflammatory factors has been less studied. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the simultaneous effect of HIIT training and saffron consumption on TNF-α and CRP levels in overweight men.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. Forty overweight men (with a body mass index between 25 and 29.9) were selected through a public call and randomly assigned to four equal groups. 1: HIIT training with placebo 2: HIIT training with saffron supplementation 3: saffron supplementation without training 4: control group (no training or supplementation). To implement the protocol, the saffron supplementation group and the HIIT + saffron supplementation group consumed one 30 mg capsule of saffron dry extract daily for eight weeks in a single-blind manner. The HIIT + placebo group also received an empty capsule daily for the same period. Also, the HIIT + placebo and HIIT + supplementation groups performed three HIIT training sessions per week for eight weeks. The control group only engaged in their daily activities. Pre-test measurements were taken before the start of the interventions and post-test measurements were taken 48 hours after the last training session and supplementation. Blood samples were taken by a laboratory expert and serum TNF-α and CRP levels were measured using ELISA and Podgin-Teb kits. For data analysis, paired t-test was used for intragroup comparison and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to examine between-group differences. The statistical significance level in all analyses was set at 0.05.
Results: After eight weeks of intervention, a significant decrease in TNF-α levels was observed in the exercise + supplement group (0.64 ± 0.15; P = 0.001). Also, in this group, CRP levels also showed a significant decrease (4.87 ± 0.44; P = 0.001). In the HIIT exercise alone group, no significant change was observed in TNF-α (0.95 ± 0.28; P = 0.42). However, a decrease in CRP (5.92 ± 0.52; P = 0.037) was observed. Also, in the saffron supplement group, no significant change was observed in TNF-α (1.18 ± 0.24; P = 0.89) but a significant decrease in CRP (5.82 ± 0.66; P = 0.001) was reported. In the control group, no significant change was observed in these indicators (P > 0.05). The between-group comparison also showed a significant difference in favor of the combined group (P>0.05). These findings indicated that the combination of high-intensity interval training and saffron extract supplementation had a greater effect on reducing inflammatory markers and improving body composition than either intervention alone.
Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that combining high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with saffron supplementation significantly reduced TNF-α and CRP levels and weight loss in overweight men. The anti-inflammatory effects were greater in the combined group than in the other groups. Given these results, it is suggested that the simultaneous use of exercise interventions and herbal supplements and saffron extract can be considered as a non-pharmacological approach to improve inflammation associated with overweight.
Keywords: Crocus sativus supplementation, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), High-intensity interval training (HIIT), Overweigh
Type of Study: Original |
Subject:
Physical Education and Sports Science ( Sport physiology- Sport biomecanic
Received: 2025/04/27 | Accepted: 2025/09/6 | Published: 2025/12/13
Received: 2025/04/27 | Accepted: 2025/09/6 | Published: 2025/12/13
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