Effect of L-carnitine Supplementation on Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Responses and Blood Pressure Changes Following Resistance Exercise in Non-Athletic Overweight Young Men

Background: Amongst different therapeutic interventions, exercise can improve and control inflammatory and non-inflammatory diseases. This study investigated the effect of L-carnitine supplementation on serum levels of interleukin-۸ (IL-۸), IL-۴, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), nitric oxide (NO), and blood pressure after resistance exercise in young men.Methods: Twenty male volunteers were selected by targeted sampling, and were randomly divided into an experimental (L-carnitine supplement) and a control (placebo) groups. The subjects participated in a session of resistance exercise after taking ۲ g/day of L-carnitine or a placebo for two weeks. Blood pressure was measured and blood samples after fastingwere obtained in four stages of baseline, pre-exercise, immediately, and ۲۴ hours post-exercise.Results: Consumption of L-carnitine could significantly increase serum levels of L-carnitine, IL-۴ levels and decrease IL-۸ and TNFα levels in the experimental group in comparison to the control group. In the control group, a significant decrease in IL-۴ level and an increase in TNFα level were observed. NO and IL-۸ increased significantly in both groups immediately after exercise, and then decreased significantly in both groups ۲۴ hours post-exercise. There were significant differences in IL-۴, TNFα, and IL-۸ levels between the groups at pre-exercise, immediately and ۲۴ h post-exercise in favor of the experimental group, while no significant changes were seen in blood pressure between the groups.Conclusion: It is likely that ۲ weeks of L-carnitine supplementation may prevent the increase of inflammation caused by acute resistance exercise.

کلیدواژه ها:

L-carnitine ، Resistance exercise ، Inflammation ، Blood pressure ، Men