The combination of exercise training and supplementation increase serum irisin levels in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND

We examined the effect of antioxidant supplementation and exercise on irisin within postmenopausal women.

METHODS

Forty-eight participants (age: 55.7 ± 4.9 years; weight: 68.0 ± 6.3 kg; BMI 27.0 ± 2.7; mean ± SD) were randomized into four groups for the eight week intervention: control group (CG;  = 12), resistance training group (RTG;  = 12), supplementation with group (ZG;  = 12), or supplementation with and resistance training group (ZRTG;  = 12). RTG and ZRTG performed circuit resistance training, and both ZG and ZRTG consumed 500 mg of every day during the intervention. Blood samples were taken 48 hours before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in irisin at post-training, with greater levels in ZRTG compared to CG. A significant increase was noted for irisin at post-training compared to pre-training for ZG, RTG, and ZRTG. Moreover, we identified a significant decrease in malondialdehyde in the RTG and ZRTG groups and increase in glutathione in the ZG, RTG, and ZRTG groups when compared to CG.

CONCLUSION

These findings showed that exercise, supplementation or their combination led to an increase in irisin.