Effect of olive oil on IL-6, TNF-α and cortisol hormone levels in active girls after one session of an exhaustive exercise: a brief report

Background : The aim of this research was to determine the effect of olive oil on interleukin 6 (IL-6), Tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a) and cortisol hormone in response to exhaustive exercise in active girls. Methods : Twenty four healthy girls aged 21-27 years participated in this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to supplement (n=12) and control (n=12) groups. Supplemented group was fed with olive oil for one week. Blood samples were taken in a week before of exercise test, before exercise, immediately and 1 hour after the end of the exercise. Results : There was a significant increase in the level of cortisol, IL-6 and TNF-α in the supplement and control groups in compared with a week before of exercise test and before exercise test (P≤0.05). There was no significant difference in cortisol levels between the two groups (P≥0.05), but there was a significant difference between the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in immediately and one hour after the end of exercise (P≤0.05). These markers were lower in the supplement group. Conclusion : Our results show olive oil prevent from increasing inflammatory markers in active girls during exhaustive exercise.