Investigating the Changes of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Interleukin-10 After 8 Weeks of Regular Pilates Exercise and Vitamin D Intake in Overweight Men: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background and Aim: Weight gain and vitamin D deficiency are associated with increased systemic inflammation and chronic diseases. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of regular Pilates training associated with Vitamin D intake on Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in overweight males. Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 52 overweight men aged 45-55 years. Volunteers were firstly selected through the convenience sampling method. Then, they were divided into Pilates training, Pilates training + vitamin D supplementation, vitamin D supplementation (combined), and control groups (n=13/group). The provided Pilates training program was performed for 8 weeks (with the intensity of 50%-75% of reserve heart rate, 3 sessions/week). The supplement and combined groups also received 50000 units of oral vitamin D weekly for 8 weeks. The serum levels of variables were determined using the ELISA method. The obtained data were analyzed by Paired Samples t-test, one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Kruskal–Wallis test at the significant level of <0.05. Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee at Islamic Azad University, Babol Branch, Iran (Code: IR.IAU.BABOL.REC.1398.088). Also, this study was approved by the Iranian Clinical Trial Registration Center (Code: IRCT20190831044650N2) Results: The collected results indicated that 8 weeks of Pilates training, vitamin D intake, and the combined intervention were associated with a significant increase in IL-10 (P<0.001) and a decrease in TNF-α (P<0.001). Additionally, the presented combination intervention was associated with further alternations in the research variables, compared to the other two interventions; however, in the exercise group, the decrease in TNF-α level was more than that in the vitamin D intake group (P=0.012). Conclusion: It seems that in overweight combined with vitamin D deficiency stats, the anti-inflammatory effects of Pilates training, vitamin D supplementation interventions, and a combination of the two methods can be attributed in part to up-regulation IL-10 and TNF-α reduction; however, the effectiveness of the combined intervention on the development of inflammation was greater than that of the other two interventions. Furthermore, the effect of Pilates training on reducing TNF-α was stronger than that of vitamin D supplementation.