Effect of aerobic exercise combined with saffron extract supplementation on serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and C-reactive protein in rats following an aerobic exercise until exhaustion

 Aerobic exercise and Saffron has beneficial effects on inflammatory response. The present study aims to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise combined with saffron extract supplementation on serum levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in rats following an aerobic exercise until exhaustion

 This is an experimental study. Forty eight Wistar male rats were assigned into four groups: control (C), supplementation) SE), training (AT), and training+supplementation (AT+SE). Aerobic exercise was performed for 8 weeks (five sessions a week). supplementation was done by administrating 100 mg/kg/day saffron extract by oral gavage. At the end of experiment, half of the rats was killed immediately before exhaustion and the remaining immediately after performing an acute aerobic exercise until exhaustion by running on the treadmill. Serum CRP and TNF-α levels were measured by ELISA method. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, considering the significance level of P< 0.05. 

 Following an exhausting exercise, serum levels of CRP and TNF-α in the AT+SE group significantly lower than in groups C (PCRP = 0.001; PTNF-α=0.001), SE (PCRP=0.001; PTNF-α=0.001) and AT (PCRP= 0.021; PTNF-α =0.046). These markers in the AT group significantly lower than in groups C (PCRP=0.004; PTNF-α=0.039) and SE (PCRP= 0.014; PTNF-α=0.043). There was no significant difference between the other groups. 

 Aerobic exercise alone and in combination with the use of saffron extract may reduce the inflammatory responses following an exhausting exercise.