سیده لیلا خاتمی ساروی

Hypertension is associated with changes in the structure and function of the vessels. This study was done to evaluate the effect of aerobic training with Garlic consumption on matrix metalloproteinase-3, 9 (MMP-3, MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in obese postmenopausal women with hypertension.

This double-blind clinical trial study was done on 36 obese postmenopausal women with hypertension. Participants were randomly divided into 4 groups including control group, Garlic consumption, aerobic training and training with Garlic consumption. Subjects in training groups participated in a progressive aerobic training for eight weeks, three sessions a week (55% to 65% of the reserved heart rate and for 30 to 55 min). Garlic and training with Garlic groups consumed 1000 mg of garlic supplement for eight weeks (after breakfast and dinner). Two days before and after the protocol, blood samples were taken in fasting state.

The level of MMP-3 and MMP-9 were significantly decreased in Garlic, aerobic training and training with Garlic groups in compared to the control group (P<0.05). Also, the level of MMP-3 in the training with Garlic was significantly reduced in compared to the training and the Garlic groups (P<0.05). MMP-9 in the training with Garlic was significantly reduced in compared to the Garlic group (P<0.05). However, TIMP-1 level were significantly increased in the Garlic, training and training with Garlic in comparison with control group (P<0.05).

Aerobic training alone and in combination with Garlic affect on extracellular matrix thorough reduction of MMP-3, MMP-9 and increasing TIMP-1, improves systolic blood pressure in obese postmenopausal women with hypertension.

Obesity and inflammation play an important role in the development of hypertension. The aim of this study was to examine the protective effect of aerobic training along with garlic on some inflammatory indices (Lcn-2 and IL-1β) in obese women with high blood pressure.

In this study, 36 women with hypertension were selected from Sari City (north of Iran) and were randomly divided into four groups (Control, Garlic, Training and Training+Garlic). The training groups participated in a progressive aerobic training for eight weeks, three sessions a week (55 to 65% of the reserved heart rate and for 30 to 55 min). The Garlic and Training+Garlic groups were provided with 1000 mg of commercial garlic supplement for eight weeks (after breakfast and dinner). Two days before and after the protocol, the blood samples were taken in fasting state. Statistical analysis was performed using a one way analysis of variance, and significance was accepted at p ≤ 0.05.

The results showed that the weight, body mass index (BMI) and systolic blood pressure decreased significantly in the experimental group ( p=0.009, p=0.010 and p=0.000, respectively). Also there was a significant reduction of Lcn-2 and IL-1β in the Control-Garlic (p=0.019 and p=0.014), Control-Training (p=0.000 and p=0.029) and Training+Garlic groups (p=0.001 and p=0.004).

It seems that aerobic training and garlic reduce the inflammatory indices of Lcn-2 and IL-1β with reduced SBP and body composition in women with high blood pressure and obesity.