The effect of Mediterranean diet and high-intensity interval training on inflammatory markers in obese and overweight premenopausal women: A controlled trial

Abstract

Background

We aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on inflammatory markers in obese and overweight premenopausal women.

Methods

In this trial, 47 overweight and obese women were randomly divided into 4 groups: MedDiet group without calorie restriction (n = 14), HIIT group (n = 12), MedDiet + HIIT group (n = 12), and control group (n = 9). HIIT training sessions were carried out for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week. In HIIT group, participants were instructed to maintain their usual diet. The participants in MedDiet program and Med Diet + HIIT groups were instructed to follow the principal aspects of MedDiet without caloric restriction. The serum level of IL-6 and adiponectin were measured using ELISA kits and serum CRP concentrations were determined by Turbidometery.

Results

The results showed that HIIT had no effect on the studied indices. Furthermore, MedDiet and HIIT together significantly increased the serum level of interleukin-6 (P = 0.00). While there were no significant changes in CRP (P = 0.72) and adiponectin (P = 0.16) between the groups at the end of the study.

Conclusion

Taken together, the results of this study demonstrated that a combination of the MedDiet and HIIT can be associated with a significant increase in IL-6. However, the current findings did not support alteration in adiponectin and CRP.