INTRODUCTION
Obesity results from individual factors and unhealthy eating habits (Safaei, 2021). Obesity is caused by increased adipose tissue, and adipose tissue plays a role in the production of adipokines. There are specific inflammatory cytokines among adipokines, including interleukin-6. Increased cytokine concentrations may be responsible for increased oxidative stress (Langeveld, 2023). C-reactive protein (CRP) is a measure of inflammation. CRP is used as an immunochemical marker for several diseases (Mouliou, 2023). Total body resistance exercise (TRX) is designed to improve endurance and strength, focusing on body weight (Nammi, 2004); TRX training has significant effects on physiological indicators and body performance (Pastucha, 2012). Antioxidants act to maintain health (Aversa & Petrescu, 2016) and can be obtained through the consumption of fruits. In this context, mango (Mangifera indica) is an appropriate example. Mango is a source of ascorbic acid and carotenoids (Noratto, 2010). Mango extract has anti-inflammatory activity in many chronic pathological disorders associated with inflammatory response (Sferrazzo, 2022) and is the primary source of Mangiferin, which has been extensively studied for its biological and therapeutic potential (Chen, 2023). All systems in the body help each other to maintain homeostasis. An important aspect of these activities is related to the immune system, specifically in strengthening it to ensure health and safety. Many factors affect the immune system, one of which is exercise. Some studies have examined the effect of exercise on immune system parameters. For instance, Pedersen indicated that intense exercise increases the inflammatory cytokine response and interleukin-6 release (Pedersen, 2001). Makiel et al. (2023) stated that aerobic resistance training resulted in a more significant reduction in IL-6 concentrations than aerobic training alone in individuals (Makiel, 2023). A review of the literature demonstrated that limited research has been conducted on cytokines with contradictory results. Given the importance of the immune system in the body and its role in exercise, further research in inactive men seems necessary to obtain significant results in the field of improving immune system function and individual health with this study.
METHODS
In semi-experimental research, the statistical population was 150 overweight and obese inactive male students aged 20 to 25 years; 48 people were purposefully selected as a sample and randomly divided into the following groups: control, extract, exercise + placebo, and exercise + extract. Body composition measurements were taken and recorded. The exercise program was implemented in the GYM for six weeks (three sessions per week, even-numbered days from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM). The control group was prohibited from doing any physical activity and taking herbal supplements, and the extract consumption group did not have any regular exercise.
TRX Training Protocol
Six weeks of TRX training were performed with a frequency of three sessions per week. In the first week, six movements were selected and divided into two groups of three movements. In this order, the subjects performed three movements of 10 repetitions and rested for 1 min between each movement. After completing the three movements, they rested for 3 min and then did the following three movements. In the second week, six movements were performed in a row, and the 3-min break between all three movements was removed, and the repetitions were 10 for each movement. In the third week, the repetitions were increased from 10 to 12, with 3-min rests between rounds. In the fourth week, eight consecutive movements were performed, and the 3-min break between them was removed. The repetitions were the same as 12 for each movement. In the fifth and sixth weeks, the repetitions and rounds remained constant; however, the training intensity was increased by adjusting the angle of the body and increasing the distance from the ligament graft site. The TRX exercises were performed using one leg (Vahidian & Ghaed, 2020).
Supplement Intake Protocol
The subjects of the exercise + extract group and the extract group were asked to consume 1000 mg (two 500 mg capsules) of mango leaf extract twice a day for six weeks, along with lunch and dinner with a glass of water (Riche & Riche, 2017).
Measurement of Biochemical Variables
An amount of 5 ml of blood was collected in two stages, pre- and post-test, after 10-12 h of fasting. The serum of the blood samples was separated by centrifugation, and the sera prepared were measured with human IL-6 kits from BOSTER Company, made in China, using the ELISA method and the CRP assay kit made by Pars Azmoun Company.
Statistical Calculations
Shapiro-Wilk test was used to determine normality, paired t-test was used for intra-group comparison, and one-way ANOVA was employed for inter-group comparison. Tukey's post hoc test was employed to determine differences between groups at a significance level of P<0.05.
RESULTS
The mean weight, BMI, CRP, and IL-6 in the exercise + placebo, exercise + extract, and extract groups decreased from pre- to post-test and increased in the control group. A significant difference was observed in the exercise + placebo and exercise + extract groups in weight and BMI variables; however, the weight and BMI values in the mango leaf extract and control groups did not show a statistically significant decrease. The effect of TRX training, TRX training with extract consumption, and extract consumption on IL-6 and CRP levels after six weeks of training and consumption showed a significant reduction, but no significant difference was observed in the control group.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study demonstrated that six weeks of TRX training, TRX training with mango leaf extract consumption, and mango leaf extract consumption without training significantly reduced interleukin-6 and CRP in obese and overweight male students compared to previous values. The results of the present work were consistent with the studies of Tan et al. (2023), Sherizadeh et al. (2024), Sahebi et al. (2022), Alimoradi et al. (2022), Jalali et al. (2021) and contrary to the findings of the studies of Sedrianian (2015), Martinez (2010), Faraji et al. (2022) (56). According to the results of this study, TRX training, consumption of mango leaf extract, and also training with consumption of mango leaf extract demonstrated a significant decrease in serum levels of interleukin-6 and CRP. In other words, it can be mentioned that consuming two capsules of mango leaf extract daily for six weeks may reduce serum levels of interleukin-6 and CRP, and it seems that TRX training along with consuming mango leaf extract can be effective in reducing the inflammatory status of overweight and obese inactive male students, as well as body composition, by reducing inflammatory factors.
Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
Code of Ethics No. IR.SSRI.REC.1401.1867 was obtained. It should also be noted that the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, including obtaining informed consent from the participants and the confidentiality of their information, have been observed.
Funding
This study was carried out with the financial and executive support of the University of Sistan and Baluchistan, Iran.
Authors' Contributions
The authors have contributed equally to this work.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank the university research vice-chancellor, sports science professors, and students who cooperated wholeheartedly.