# Effects of Two Types of Moderate- and High-Intensity Interval Training on Serum Salusin-α and Salusin-β Levels and Lipid Profile in Women with Overweight/Obesity

PMID: 32425570
Journal: Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy
Published: 2020
Authors: Nazari M, Minasian V, Hovsepian S

## Question

How do 8 weeks of moderate- versus high-intensity cycling interval training affect serum Salusin-alpha, Salusin-beta, and lipid profile in women with overweight/obesity?

## Summary

In 40 inactive women with overweight or obesity, 8 weeks of cycling interval training at moderate or high intensity improved selected lipid and salusin biomarkers compared with control. Moderate intensity produced a much larger Salusin-alpha increase, while high intensity produced larger total cholesterol and LDL percentage reductions.

## Population

- Inactive women aged 25-35 years with overweight or obesity.
- Sample size: 40
- Age: 28 +/- 3.3 years overall
- Sex: Female only
- Fitness level: Inactive for the previous year
- Health status: BMI about 30-31 kg/m2; body fat about 35-37%

## Methodology

- Quasi-experimental matched-group intervention
- 8 weeks
- Exercise intervention in women with overweight/obesity, University of Isfahan context
- Controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Stationary-bike HIIT.
- Modality: Stationary cycling.
- Work intervals: 30 seconds.
- Recovery: 30 seconds rest within 2-minute sets; 3 minutes active rest between sets.
- Sets or repetitions: 4 to 7 two-minute sets.
- Intensity: 90-95% HRmax.
- Session duration: Varied with progression.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 8 weeks.
- Progression: 4, 5, 6, then 7 sets across successive 2-week blocks.
- MIIT and control.
- Modality: Stationary cycling or no exercise.
- Work intervals: MIIT: 30 seconds.
- Recovery: MIIT: 30 seconds rest plus 3 minutes active rest between sets.
- Sets or repetitions: MIIT: 4 to 7 two-minute sets.
- Intensity: MIIT: 75-80% HRmax; control no training.
- Session duration: Varied with progression.
- Frequency: MIIT: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 8 weeks.
- Progression: Same set progression for MIIT.

## Outcomes

### Salusin-alpha
Status: improved
Salusin-alpha increased significantly, with a much larger percentage change in MIIT than HIIT.

ANCOVA p=0.001; MIIT +36%, HIIT +3%.

### Lipids
Status: improved
HDL increased and triglycerides and total cholesterol decreased in training groups versus control.

HDL p=0.039; triglycerides p=0.012; total cholesterol p=0.010.

### Salusin-beta
Status: no clear change
Salusin-beta decreased numerically but was not significant between groups.

ANCOVA p=0.452; MIIT -7%, HIIT -5%.

### LDL/VLDL
Status: mixed
LDL and VLDL decreased numerically, with LDL table marking pre-post change in HIIT, but between-group ANCOVA was not significant for LDL or VLDL.

LDL p=0.108; VLDL p=0.056.

## Practical Insights

- 30:30 cycling intervals can be progressed gradually over 8 weeks.
- Moderate-intensity intervals may be a useful option when high-intensity adherence is difficult.
- Biomarker improvements should not be presented as proven cardiovascular-event risk reduction.

## Limitations

- Quasi-experimental, not randomized.
- Diet, menstrual cycle, hormonal changes, and daily activity were not precisely controlled.
- Adherence and achieved intensity were not reported.
- Group counts are inconsistent between article text and table.
- Biomarker outcomes only.

## Safety And Adherence

- No adverse-event reporting was located in the viewed text.
- The protocol was piloted on volunteers before the intervention.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32425570/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.2147/DMSO.S248476) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7188200/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.