The effects of high-intensity interval training and orlistat on selected adipokines and cytokines in obese women

Obesity is a globally common metabolic condition that causes or exacerbates many diseases. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and orlistat may affect cytokines and adipokines related to obesity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the independent and combined effects of 8 weeks of HIIT and orlistat on body weight, body mass index (BMI), neck circumference, aerobic power, interleukin‑6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), resistin, and adiponectin in young, obese women. 48 obese individuals were randomly divided into 4 groups: control-placebo ( n = 12), HIIT-placebo ( n = 12), control-orlistat ( n = 12), and HIIT-orlistat ( n = 12), and received group-specific interventions. Participant blood samples were taken 48 h before the intervention and 48 h after the last training session. Two-way multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to investigate the effects of interventions, with significance set at P ≤ 0.05. The results showed that HIIT decreased body weight, BMI, neck circumference, TNF‑α, and resistin concentration, while increasing aerobic power, IL‑6, and adiponectin concentration. Orlistat decreased body weight, BMI, neck circumference, and resistin, and increased plasma IL‑6 levels. In conclusion, although the combined effects of HIIT and orlistat were significant in many factors, no synergistic effect was observed, and there appears to be a limit for changes in each factor that can be reached by either HIIT or medication interventions.