Effects of green tea extract supplementation and endurance training on irisin, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and adiponectin concentrations in overweight middle-aged men

Purpose: Green tea extract (GTE) supplementation has been proposed to possess anti-inflammatory properties. This study assessed the effects of GTE on endurance training (ET) induced changes on irisin, pro-inflammatory cytokines, adiponectin and anthropometric indices in overweight middle-aged males. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 15): endurance training + placebo (ET + P), endurance training + green tea extract supplementation (ET + GTE), and no endurance training + placebo (P). The ET intervention consisted of an 8-week training program that included circuit training, fast walking or jogging performed three times/week at a moderate intensity (40–59% of the heart rate reserve). Participants received 500 mg/day GTE using a green tea capsule. Serum concentrations of interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), irisin, adiponectin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured prior to and after the 8-week training intervention. Results: Both exercise interventions decreased IL-6 and hs-CRP (p < 0.05), and increased adiponectin (p < 0.01) levels; changes in these variables were greater in the ET + GTE group compared to the ET + P and P groups (p < 0.01). Irisin concentrations increased only in the ET + GTE group and were different from the ET + P and P groups (p < 0.01). There were no changes in TNF-α concentrations in any of the groups. Both exercise interventions (ET + GTE and ET + P) decreased bodyweight, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BFP), and visceral fat area (VFA) (p < 0.05), with greater changes in these variables occurring in the ET + GTE group compared to ET + P and P groups (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The combination of GTE supplementation and ET produces beneficial anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects, which were greater than those produced by ET alone.