Inflammatory status improved following saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and resistance training in elderly hypertensive men
Inflammatory status improved following saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and resistance training in elderly hypertensive men
Shima Mojtahedi,1,*
1. University of Tehran, dept of Exercise Physiology
Introduction: Currently, there is a great deal of interest in the association between inflammation and hypertension. In older adults, research has demonstrated associations between increased levels of certain inflammatory markers, such as high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and hypertension. It is now widely accepted that physical activity helps control blood pressure in patients with hypertension. The physiological functions of the body's immune cells gradually decline with age, leading to impaired skeletal muscle regeneration. Saffron, or Crocus sativus L., is a medicinal herb of the Iridaceae family with anti-inflammatory properties that promote cardioprotective effects. Additionally, saffron has been shown to modulate the levels of some vasoconstrictors and vasodilators in the blood plasma of patients with hypertension. Physical activity is recommended as a significant non-pharmacological solution to attenuate these age-related health conditions. The current study hypothesized that moderate resistance training and saffron consumption might improve inflammation status and reduce high blood pressure in hypertensive older adults, with stronger beneficial effects when the two therapies were combined.
Methods: Elderly hypertensive men were randomly assigned to a control group (C) or one of three experimental groups [saffron consumption (S), resistance training (R), and resistance training + saffron (RS)] for 12 weeks. Inflammatory markers were measured at baseline and following the 12-week intervention period. Patients in S and RS received one tablet containing 200 mg of saffron daily. Primary outcomes were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).
Results: The RS group had significantly greater reductions in, resistin, and IL-6 as compared with the C, S, and R groups (ps < 0.05). There were no differences between groups for TNF-α and hs-CRP (ps > 0.05).
Conclusion: The present study indicates that 12 weeks of resistance training and saffron supplementation, when combined, effectively reduces proinflammatory biomarkers in older hypertensive male patients. We also observed some positive effects for S alone and R alone in increasing HDL and decreasing, recommended for patients who were unwilling or unable to do one or the other. In general, our findings could lead to future research questions to find out the mechanisms involved in the effects of resistance training or saffron supplementation on how changes in vascular endothelium and its cardiovascular healing consequences and mechanistic changes in some lesser-known inflammatory biomarkers.