The Synergistic Effect of Nasturtium Officinale Extract and High-intensity Interval Training on Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 4 (FABP4) and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) in Overweight Subclinical Hypothyroid Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial1

Hypothyroidism is one of the thyroid disorders that increases the levels of fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in the vascular endothelium. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of eight weeks of high-intensity interval training and Nasturtium officinale consumption on the serum levels of hs-CRP and FABP4 in overweight subclinical hypothyroid patients.

This study is a single-blind randomized clinical trial that 40 people with overweight subclinical hypothyroidism with average age (30.50±6.41 year) and average weight (73.20±6.48 kg) were randomly divided into four groups: training, training + supplement, supplement and control. For 8 weeks, training and training + supplement groups followed the program of three sessions per week of high-intensity interval training and training + supplement and supplement groups followed the daily consumption of 500 mg of Nasturtium officinale extract supplement. Study variables were measured at the beginning and end of the study. The data were analyzed using paired t-tests, analysis of covariance and Tukey's post hoc analysis and using SPSS version 20 software at a significant level (P<0.05).

Eight weeks of high-intensity interval training and Nasturtium officinale supplement caused a significant decrease in hs-CRP and body mass index in training, training +supplement and supplement groups (P<0.05). While FABP4 was significantly decreased only in training groups (P<0.05).

It seems that intense interval training and Nasturtium officinale regulate energy metabolism and improve inflammation in overweight people with mild hypothyroidism.