Sadra Medical Journal

The Effect of Interval Training and Rice Bran Consumption on Pro-Inflammatory (IL-18), Anti-Inflammatory (IL-10) Cytokines, and the Adipokine WISP1 in Obese Women

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Zahra Zaraieh
Alireza Elmieh
Shahram Gholamrezaei Darsara

Department of Physical Education, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30476/smsj.2025.103849.1561
Abstract
Introduction: Obesity and inflammation are significant risk factors for chronic diseases. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and certain antioxidant compounds may reduce obesity-related inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the effect of interval training and rice bran consumption on the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-18, the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, and the adipokine WISP1 in obese women. 
Methods: Forty sedentary obese women attending a fitness club in Guilan province, Iran, voluntarily participated in this study (age: 38.5±3.63 years, weight: 85.6±5.23 Kg) and were randomly assigned to one of four groups: Control, High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Rice Bran Supplement (RBS), and HIIT+RBS. Before and after the intervention, serum levels of IL-18, IL-10, and WISP1 were assessed. A three-week preparatory phase involved moderate-intensity interval aerobic exercises (50-80% of heart rate reserve). From weeks 4 to 9, HIIT was performed as running (activity) and walking (rest) intervals at 80-100% of heart rate reserve. Intra-group changes were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with Bonferroni post-hoc tests via SPSS software, version 23, at a significance level of P≤0.05.
Results: Interval training with and without rice bran consumption significantly decreased WISP1 levels (P=0.001), whereas rice bran consumption alone did not (P=0.574). Similarly, interval training with and without supplementation significantly decreased IL-18 and increased IL-10 (P=0.001), while rice bran alone caused no significant changes in IL-18 (P=0.119) and IL-10 (P=0.796).
Conclusion: The findings indicated that interval training, both with and without rice bran consumption, was associated with reduced levels of the adipokine WISP1 and the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-18, alongside an increase in the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in obese women. Therefore, it could be inferred that interval training with rice bran could positively influence glucose metabolism in obese individuals, potentially mediated by a reduction in body fat mass.

Keywords

Resistance Training
Rice Bran Oil
Interleukin-18
Interleukin-10
CCN4 protein
human
Obesity
Women
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Sadra Medical Journal
Volume 14, Issue 1
Winter 2026
Pages 24-36

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