Examining the levels of serum pro-inflammatory factors in active healthy girls using oral royal jelly

Background and purpose: Royal jelly compounds have recently been shown to have various biological activities. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of six weeks of concurrent training combined with oral royal jelly consumption on pro-inflammatory factors in healthy, active girls. Subjects and Methods: In the present quasi-experimental study, 40 active girls aged 20 to 25 years and with a body mass index of 18 to 25 kg/m2 were randomly divided into 4 equal groups of 10 (1- supplement, 2- training+placebo, 3- training+supplement, and 4- placebo). The training protocol consisted of six weeks of concurrent training (high-intensity interval training+ resistance training) in three sessions per week. Also, one capsule of 1000 mg of royal jelly or placebo was consumed three times a day. Blood samples were taken 24 hours before and 72 hours after the interventions in a fasting state. Findings: A significant decrease in IL-6 was observed in the intervention groups compared to the placebo group. A significant decrease in TNF-α was observed in the training+supplement and training+placebo groups compared to the supplement and placebo groups. There was no significant difference in IL-6 and TNF-α levels between the training+supplement and training +placebo groups. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed a positive effect of concurrent training and royal jelly on reducing pro-inflammatory factors in active girls. Also, the anti-inflammatory effects of concurrent training were greater than those of royal jelly.