Protective effect of aerobic training with Salvia officinalis consumption on endothelial function indices in postmenopausal women

Menopause occurs with estrogens decline and impaired endothelial function and contributes to atherosclerotic risk. Adhesion molecules play an important role in the development and progression of coronary atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was comparing the effect of aerobic exercise, Salvia officinalis and their combination on serum levels of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1) and endothelin-1 in postmenopausal women. In this clinical trial study, 32 menopausal women (age 51.62±4.55 years, BMI 24.07±2.89 kg/square meters) were selected and were randomly divided into four groups including placebo control (C), aerobic training (AT), Salvia officinalis (So) and training-Salvia officinalis (ATSo). Training groups participated in an aerobic exercise program for eight weeks, five sessions per week (with an intensity of 40to 80% of maximum reserve heart rate, 25-45 minutes). The groups So and ATSo were provided three 100 mg So tablets daily in the morning, noon and evening. Data were tested using dependent t-test and analysis of covariance at a significance level of p<0.05. AT and So significantly decreased ICAM-1 (P=0.022 and P=0.041), sVCAM-1 (P=0.015 and P=0.018) and ET-1 (P=0.016 and P=0.023). Also, simultaneous intervention of AT and SP had a positive effect on reducing ICAM-1 (P=0.0001), sVCAM-1 (P=0.0001) and ET-1 (P=0.0001). AT and So improve endothelial function in postmenopausal women by affecting serum levels of ICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and ET-1. Nevertheless, the effect of combination of exercise and supplementation was greater.