Introduction: Obesity is a chronic disease induced by imbalance of energy homeostasis which has been associated with risk of menopausal estrogen-dependent breast cancer. The present study aimed to examine the effect of 12-week concurrent (aerobic-resistance) training on the inflammation marker [Estradiol, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-6(IL-6)] and physical performance (VO2max, balance, flexibility and strength) in obese postmenopausal women.
Methods: Our research was an unblinded randomized controlled clinical trial. Thirty sedentary and obese postmenopausal women were recruited [age 45–55years, overweight or obese (BMI >25 kg/m2), and inactive (<150 min/week of physical activity) and had an elevated Gail 5-year risk score of breast cancer (>1.66%)] and randomly divided into concurrent training (CT, n=12) and control group (CG, n=13).The participant’s took part in a 12-week supervised intervention training 5 days/week, (each session of which involved 60 minutes of strength training and 30 minutes of aerobic training). Blood samples were taken from the volunteers to measure estradiol and TNF-α and IL-6. Physical function (strength, VO2max, flexibility and balance) were evaluated pre, mid and post-intervention. Quantitative expression was evaluated using 2-∆∆ct method and REST software. ANOVA tests with Bonferroni correction were used to compare the groups at a significance level of α<0.05.
Results: In response to training, total fat mass (FM) , lean body mass(LBM) and waist circulation(WC) in the concurrent training group improved significantly compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The CT group experienced a reduction in FM (-7.73%; P <0.05) and an increase in LBM (2.5%; P <0.05).A significant decrease in the expression of IL-6 (P=0.004) and TNF-α (P=0.0013) was observed in the experimental group compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in estradiol levels in the experimental group compared to the control (P>0.05). VO2max (P=0.001), balance (P=0.001), strength [hand grip (32.7%), leg strength (31.4%)] and flexibility (P=0.002), in the experimental group increased significantly compared to the control group.
Conclusion: The concurrent training and exercise-induced fat mass loss appears to slow the increase of pro inflammatory cytokines in postmenopausal women that is an established risk factor of breast cancer. Thus, this study provides additional evidences to the intricate interaction among estradiol, inflammatory cytokines, adipose tissue and muscle mass in postmenopausal women.
Type of Study:
Research |
Subject:
Nutrition, psychology, sport Received: 2022/12/24 | Accepted: 2023/07/8 | Published: 2023/10/23