High-intensity interval training combined with saffron supplementation modulates stress-inflammatory markers in obese women with type 2 diabetes

The aim of this study was to investigate the interactive effects of saffron extract supplementation with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on serum levels of stress-inflammatory markers in obese women with type 2 diabetes. Thirty-two obese women with type 2 diabetes were randomly divided into 4 intervention groups: supplement, HIIT +Supplement, placebo and placebo+ HIIT. The anthropometric and blood characteristics of subjects were evaluated in pre-test and post-test. The method of supplementation was that the supplement group received 100 mg of saffron extract daily. The subjects in the training group also did running on the treadmill in 4 bouts with intensity of 85 to 95% of the maximum heart rate along with 4 periods of active rest at the intensity of 50 to 60% of the maximum heart rate. Data analysis showed that the effect of time was a significant decrease in serum levels of IL-6, NT-proBNP and GDF-15 in the supplement, supplement+ HIIT and placebo+ HIIT groups (P≤0.05). The results of time × group interaction also showed a significant difference between the groups (P≤0.05). So that the decrease in the levels of stress-inflammatory markers in the supplement+ HIIT group had a greater decrease. According to the results, it can be reported that HIIT and saffron supplementation (combination of both) probably reduces the levels of stress-inflammatory markers such as GDF-15, NT-proBNP and IL-6 by reducing fat mass, as well as also improve glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in obese women with diabetes.