Effects of Eight Weeks of Moderate-Intensity Interval Training Combined with Sea Buckthorn Supplementation on MCP-۱ and Interleukin-۸ Levels in Obese Men

Background and Objective: Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation and increased production of inflammatory chemokines, including monocyte chemoattractant protein-۱ (MCP-۱) and interleukin-۸ (IL-۸), which play important roles in immune cell recruitment and the progression of metabolic disorders. Exercise training and antioxidant-rich herbal supplements have been proposed as effective non-pharmacological strategies to reduce inflammation. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of eight weeks of moderate-intensity interval training (MIIT) and sea buckthorn supplementation on serum MCP-۱ and IL-۸ levels in obese men. Methods: This semi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with a control group. Thirty-two obese men were randomly assigned to one of four groups (n = ۸ per group): control, training, supplementation, and training plus supplementation. The training protocol consisted of moderate-intensity interval training performed on a treadmill three times per week for eight weeks at ۵۵–۶۵% of heart rate reserve (HRR). Participants in the supplementation groups consumed sea buckthorn throughout the intervention period. Blood samples were collected before the intervention and ۴۸ hours after the final training session to determine serum MCP-۱ and IL-۸ concentrations. Data were analyzed using mixed-design analysis of variance (mixed ANOVA) followed by Bonferroni post hoc tests, with statistical significance set at P < ۰.۰۵. Results: A significant group × time interaction was observed for both MCP-۱ and IL-۸ (P < ۰.۰۵). Serum concentrations of both inflammatory markers significantly decreased in the training, supplementation, and training plus supplementation groups compared with the control group. The greatest reductions were observed in the combined training plus supplementation group. However, no significant difference was found between the training and supplementation groups. Conclusion: Eight weeks of moderate-intensity interval training and sea buckthorn supplementation, particularly when combined, effectively reduced serum MCP-۱ and IL-۸ levels in obese men. These findings suggest that the combination of exercise training and sea buckthorn supplementation may serve as an effective non-pharmacological strategy for attenuating obesity-related inflammation.

کلیدواژه ها:

Obesity ، Moderate-Intensity Interval Training ، Sea Buckthorn ، MCP-۱ ، Interleukin-۸ ، Inflammation