Publication: The effect of bee propolis and tabata exercise on immune response, bone metabolism markers, oxidants-antioxidants status, cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition and quality of life among physically inactive overweight men
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Date
2025-12
Authors
Zaid, Nik Siti Nuramiza Aisyah Nik Mohd
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Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate the combined effects of Tabata exercise with bee propolis supplementation on immune responses, bone metabolism markers, oxidants-antioxidants status, cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition and quality of life. Sixty physically inactive overweight men were recruited were randomised into into four groups (n=15): control group (C), bee propolis group (B), exercise group (E) and combined exercise and bee propolis (EB). Bee propolis was consumed by participants in B and EB groups at a dosage of 1000 mg (2 tablets of 500 mg) daily after meals for 12 weeks. The participants in the E and EB groups performed the Tabata exercise, 3 sessions per week for 12 weeks. Participants’ body height, weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, waist-hip-ratio (WHR), cardiorespiratory fitness and quality of life were measured at pre-, mid- and post-tests. In addition, blood samples were collected at pre-, mid- and post-tests after an overnight fast to analyse immune responses (total leukocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, total T lymphocytes CD3+, T-helper CD3+CD4+, T-cytotoxic CD3+CD8+, CD4/CD8 ratio, natural killer CD16+CD56+, IL-6, IL-10, IL-6/IL-10 ratio), bone metabolism markers (serum C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type 1 collagen (1-CTP), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum osteocalcin (OC)), oxidants-antioxidants status (serum total antioxidant status (TAS), F2-Isoprostanes) and cardiovascular risk factor (fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC)). Results showed that consumption of bee propolis supplementation alone (B) had only significantly decreased of the 1-CTP concentration (3.65 to 2.12 ng.mL-1) (p = 0.027) at post-test as compared to pre-test while the Tabata exercise alone (E) had significant changed in body fat percentage (34.12 to 30.62 %) (p = 0.002), WHR (0.98 to 0.92) (p = 0.040), visceral fat (14.30 to 9.20) (p = 0.035), CD4/CD8 ratio (0.90 to 1.44) (p = 0.004), IL-6 (3.44 to 2.58 pg.mL-1) (p = 0.018), IL-10 (2.91 to 3.83 pg.mL-1) (p = 0.038), IL-6/IL-10 ratio (1.18 to 0.67) (p < 0.01) and FBG (6.34 to 5.84 mmol.L-1) (p = 0.022). The combination of Tabata exercise and bee propolis supplementation (EB) resulted in additional significant changes in total leukocytes (7.36 to 6.09 109.uL-1) (p = 0.037) and TAS (1.37 to 1.85 mmol.L-1) (p = 0.038) at post-test as compared to pre-test as well as significant increase in IL-10 (2.36 to 4.16 pg.mL-1) (p = 0.025) at the mid-test compared to the pre-test. As a conclusion, both independent Tabata exercise (E) and the combination of Tabata exercise with propolis (EB) yield nearly identical benefits for improving immune response, bone metabolism markers, oxidant-antioxidant status and reducing CVD risk factors in physically inactive overweight men while independent bee propolis supplementation (B) only exhibited benefit for the bone resorption marker (1-CTP). Combining propolis following the Tabata exercise offered addition synergistic effect on serum antioxidant status.