The effect of 12 weeks of aerobic-resistance training and ursolic acid supplementation on the levels of irisin and interleukin6 of overweight middle-aged men

Obesity and its complications cause the spread of many diseases such as cardiovascular disease. Changes in peoplechr('39')s lifestyles and eating habits and their tendency to use fatty foods and reduced physical activity have led to the increasing prevalence of obesity and overweight. Increased inflammatory factors such as interleukin 6 are known to be predictors of these diseases (1). Diet and aerobic-resistance exercise is one of the basic and common methods in weight control (4, 3). As a result of exercise and supplementation, a hormone called irisin is secreted from the skeletal muscle, which can increase muscle mass and reduce fat mass. (11) Some researchers in their studies reported a high and positive correlation between increased plasma irisin levels and decreased levels of some inflammatory factors such as interleukin-6 (8).Due to the lack of a proper training  pattern to increase irisin levels and reduce inflammatory factors and also due to the ambiguity of the effects of aerobic-resistance training with a suitable supplement such as ursolic acid to increase irisin levels and also appropriate changes in Inflammatory factor levels therefore answer the question: Does twelve weeks of aerobic resistance training and ursolic acid supplementation affect the levels of irisin, IL-6, and overweight in middle-aged men? No?

The research method is quasi-experimental and with pre-test-post-test design. The statistical population in this study were middle-aged men in Mashhad. According to the inclusion criteria after the initial screening by the researcher, 34 of them were randomly divided into three groups: supplement group (10), aerobic-resistance training group and The placebo (12) and the aerobic-resistance training group and supplement (12). 24 hours before the start of the protocol, data on height, weight, fat percentage, body mass index and a maximum repetition of individuals were measured.Subjects in the training groups performed aerobic exercises with an intensity of 60 to 75% of maximum heart rate and resistance exercises with an intensity of 60 to 75% of a maximum repetition for 12 weeks and three sessions per week on separate days. The aerobic-resistance-supplement group and the supplement group received 450 mg of ursolic acid supplement in three meals daily during the exercise program.The aerobic-resistance-placebo group also received three 150 mg capsules of placebo daily after each meal. The subjects in the supplement group did not perform any specific exercise activities and only performed their daily activities. Blood samples were taken 24 hours before the start of training and 48 hours after the last training session. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test at the significance level of P≥0.05 and SPSS software version 21.

The serum levels of irisin increased which was significant between the aerobic-resistance training-supplement group and aerobic-resistance training-placebo group (P= 0.001) and the aerobic-resistance training-supplement group and the supplement group (P= 0.001). But there was no significant difference between the aerobic-resistance training- placebo group and the supplement group (P= 1.00). Also, the level of plasma IL6 levels in the three groups was significantly reduced (P≥0.001) but there was no difference between the groups.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 12 weeks of aerobic-resistance training and ursolic acid supplementation on irisin and interleukin 6 levels in overweight middle-aged men. The results showed a significant increase in irisin and a significant decrease in IL-6 in both aerobic-resistance-supplemental and aerobic-resistance-placebo exercise groups, which indicates a decrease in fat levels and an increase in lean mass. As a result, it can be said that the intensity of aerobic-resistance training and taking ursolic acid supplementation may have been beneficial for this age range with the aim of increasing plasma irisin levels and decreasing plasma IL6 levels. Increasing irisin stimulates angiogenesis, changes in fiber type and prevents muscle atrophy. Decreased IL6 levels may also reduce fat and increase body mass due to a decrease in catecholamine hormones and a lack of carbohydrate stores during aerobic-resistance training and the anti-inflammatory effect of ursolic acid. Considering the effect of ursolic acid supplementation and aerobic-resistance training on some anabolic hormones and reducing the levels of inflammatory factors such as IL-6 have recently been considered by researchers, more research is needed to prove the findings of this study. It can be said that aerobic-resistance training along with taking ursolic acid supplement will improve the condition and health of middle-aged people.