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

<h2>summary</h2><h3>Background</h3> 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. <h3>Methods</h3> 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. <h3>Results</h3> 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 (<i>P</i> = 0.00). While there were no significant changes in CRP (<i>P</i> = 0.72) and adiponectin (<i>P</i> = 0.16) between the groups at the end of the study. <h3>Conclusion</h3> 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.