Effect of Eight-Week High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Caffeine Intake on serum levels of interleukin 2 and 4 in male diabetic Wistar rats

   Introduction: Cytokines are immune related factors. Production of pro inflammatory cytokines in diabetic patients is increased, which is exacerbated by vigorous training. This study investigates the response of serum IL-2 and IL-4 to eight-week high Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) with caffeine intake on inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses in diabetic rats. Methods: In a clinical-interventional animal study, 50 male rats were randomly assigned to 5 equal groups (control group(C), diabetes group(D), diabetes + caffeine group(D+Ca), diabetes + training group(D+T), diabetes + training + caffeine group(D+Ca+T)) and subjected to 8 weeks of caffeine supplementation (70 mg / kg of caffeine powder was injected five days each week) and 8 weeks of 5 sessions per week with 6 to 12 times, 2-min intervals with intensity of 85-90% of maximal speed. 48 hours after the last training session, immunological factors including IL-2 and IL-4 were measured. Statistical analysis of variables was performed using One-way ANOVA and Tukey tests at the significant level (P <0.05). Results: The results showed that (D+Ca) group had the lowest IL2 in comparison with (D) group (P = 0.001). IL-4 had the highest in (D+Ca) and (D+Ca+T)groups (P = 0.001). But these differences were not statistically significant between (D+Ca) and (D+Ca+T)groups (P = 0.67).   Conclusion: It seems that caffeine to play a role in improving the status of IL-2 and IL-4 in streptozotocin-induced diabetes, but HIIT exercises are not effective in this regard.