Protective Effect of Aerobic Training along with Garlic on Lipocalin-2 and IL-1β in Obese Women with High Blood Pressure

Background and Objectives: Obesity and inflammation play an important role in the development of hypertension. The aim of this study was to examine the protective effect of aerobic training along with garlic on some inflammatory indices (Lcn-2 and IL-1β) in obese women with high blood pressure.  Materials & Methods: In this study, 36 women with hypertension were selected from Sari City (north of Iran) and were randomly divided into four groups (Control, Garlic, Training and Training+Garlic). The training groups participated in a progressive aerobic training for eight weeks, three sessions a week (55 to 65% of the reserved heart rate and for 30 to 55 min). The Garlic and Training+Garlic groups were provided with 1000 mg of commercial garlic supplement for eight weeks (after breakfast and dinner). Two days before and after the protocol, the blood samples were taken in fasting state. Statistical analysis was performed using a one way analysis of variance, and significance was accepted at p ≤ 0.05. Results: The results showed that the weight, body mass index (BMI) and systolic blood pressure decreased significantly in the experimental group ( p=0.009, p=0.010 and p=0.000, respectively). Also there was a significant reduction of Lcn-2 and IL-1β in the Control-Garlic (p=0.019 and p=0.014), Control-Training (p=0.000 and p=0.029) and Training+Garlic groups (p=0.001 and p=0.004). Conclusion: It seems that aerobic training and garlic reduce the inflammatory indices of Lcn-2 and IL-1β with reduced SBP and body composition in women with high blood pressure and obesity.