The effects of high-intensity interval training and Iranian propolis extract on serum levels of TRPV4 and CYP2E1 proteins in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver

Irandoust K, Gholamhosseini M, Samimi R, Dergaa I, Ben Saad H, Taheri M

Question

Does 8 weeks of HIIT, Iranian propolis extract, or their combination change serum TRPV4 and CYP2E1 in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease?

Summary

In adults with grade 2 or 3 nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, 8 weeks of HIIT and propolis supplementation were associated with lower serum markers related to liver oxidative stress and mechanosensing. The strongest CYP2E1 change was reported for combined HIIT plus propolis, while TRPV4 decreased in the exercise-containing groups.

Methodology

Thirty-two adults with grade 2 or 3 NAFLD.
32 participants.
Jogging/running.
Work intervals: 1 minute at 80%-95% HRR after adaptation.
Recovery: 2 minutes at 50%-55% HRR.
Intensity: 80%-95% HRR.
40-50 minutes.
Propolis 50 mg three times daily after meals in supplement arms.
8 weeks.
Four-arm randomized clinical trial with pre/post measures
TRPV4, CYP2E1, and Anthropometry were tracked.

Outcomes

TRPV4

TRPV4 decreased in the exercise and combined exercise plus propolis groups.

Reported between-group p=0.001.

Improved

CYP2E1

CYP2E1 decreased most clearly in the combined HIIT plus propolis group; HIIT-only and propolis-only effects were less clear.

Combined-group between-group difference p=0.032; abstract reports HIIT p=0.075 and propolis p=0.059 for CYP2E1.

Mixed

Weight/BMI

Weight changed significantly only in the combined group; BMI changes were reported in intervention groups but wording was not fully clear.

Mixed

Insights

A conventional 1-minute-on, 2-minute-recovery HIIT format was used in a clinical metabolic-liver population.
Biomarker improvements should be framed as preliminary and not as direct clinical outcome improvement.

Limitations

Small sample with only 8 participants per group.
No long-term follow-up.
Adherence and adverse event reporting were not found in the full text.
Diet, medications, and comorbidities were not fully evaluated.

Safety

No adverse events, injuries, supplement side effects, dropout, or adherence data were reported. Safety/context details reported: participants signed informed consent after a briefing, completed personal information, general health, and physical activity forms, had NAFLD diagnosed by ultrasound/liver enzymes, and exercise intensity was prescribed by HRR from resting heart-rate measurements.