The Effect of Eight Weeks of HIIT with Ginkgo biloba Supplementation on Changes in Irisin and some Inflammatory and Stress Indices in Overweight Men

Exercise training and supplementation with Ginkgo biloba are used to improve body composition and metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurological disorders. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with Ginkgo biloba supplementation on changes in plasma irisin and some inflammatory and stress indices in overweight men. Following the screening, 40 overweight young men were randomly divided into four groups: placebo, Ginkgo biloba supplement, HIIT, and supplement+HIIT. Blood samples were taken 48 hours before and after eight weeks of HIIT exercise as well as immediately after the aerobic exhaustive test to study the indicators above in the population. Two-way ANOVA was used for inter-group comparisons, and Tukey's post hoc test was used to determine the difference between the groups. The results showed that after eight weeks of intervention with HIIT and Ginkgo biloba supplementation, GPx, SOD, CAT, and irisin values increased significantly in all three groups. TAC values increased only in the supplement and exercise+supplement groups. Also, a significant decrease was observed in the values of MDA, IL-6, and hs-CRP in all three groups (P<0.05). The use of HIIT combined with Ginkgo biloba supplementation can lead to combating the destructive effects resulting from exhaustive activity by increasing plasma irisin and anti-inflammatory effects and improving oxidative stress. Therefore, it seems that combining HIIT with this supplement can have significant protective effects.