Changes in the serum levels of ANGPTL3, ANGPTL4 and CRP following combined training alone or in combination with thyme ingestion in the obese men

Thyme supplement plays an important role in combating obesity related disorders and can enhance the positive effects of exercise training in obese individuals. Therefore, researcher in the present study investigated the changes in the serum levels of angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) and 4 (ANGPTL4), and C-reactive protein (CRP) following combined training alone or in combination with thyme ingestion in the obese men.

The 40 overweight and obese men in the equal 10 person groups including placebo (C), thyme (Z), training (CT) and training+thyme (CT+Z) groups participated in the present study. Each combined training session consist of resistance and endurance exercise, and thyme supplement was also consumed at 500 mg daily. Blood samples collected before and after eight weeks intervention and serum levels of ANGPTL3, ANGPTL4, and CRP was measured by ELISA method. Data were analyzed by means of analysis of covariance test and bonferroni post hoc test.

Serum levels of ANGPTL3 in the CT and CT+Z groups decreased significantly compared to C and Z groups (p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference between different groups for serum ANGPTL4 levels (p=0.059). In addition, significant decrease in serum levels of CRP in the CT (p=0.015) and CT+Z (p=0.003) groups compared to C group were observed.

It seems that, positive effects of combined training alone or in combination with thyme consumption in the obese men is partly due to a significant decrease in inflammatory adipokines (ANGPTL3, CRP), although consumption of thyme with combined training has no synergistic effect.