COMPARING THE EFFECTS OF AEROBIC & RESISTANCE EXERCISES AND VITAMINS D & E ON OXIDATIVE STRESS & INFLAMMATORY MARKERS AMONG PATIENTS WITH DEPRESSION

Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects 280 million individuals worldwide, with oxidative stress and inflammation playing crucial pathophysiological roles. This study investigated the differential effects of aerobic versus resistance exercise combined with vitamin D supplementation on oxidative stress markers (GPx and SOD) and inflammatory biomarkers (TNF-α and IL-6) in patients with MDD. A single-blinded, 3-arm randomized clinical trial was conducted at two hospitals in Karachi involving 116 participants aged 25-35 years with mild to moderate depression. Participants were randomized to receive either aerobic exercise plus vitamin D (Group A, n=39), resistance exercise plus vitamin D (Group B, n=39), or vitamin D supplementation alone (Group C, n=38). Exercise groups performed 30-minute sessions four times weekly for 12 weeks at 60-85% intensity. All groups received 50,000 IU vitamin D3 weekly. Oxidative stress and inflammatory markers were assessed using colorimetric methods and ELISA techniques at baseline and post-intervention. All groups demonstrated significant reductions in oxidative stress and inflammatory markers (p<0.001). Aerobic exercise with vitamin D showed the largest reductions: SOD (26.2%), GPx (23.7%), TNF-α (16.1%), and IL-6 (13.3%). Resistance exercise with vitamin D achieved moderate reductions: SOD (22.1%), GPx (17.9%), TNF-α (12.3%), and IL-6 (8.9%). Vitamin D alone produced smaller improvements: SOD (15.8%), GPx (12.6%), TNF-α (8.5%), and IL-6 (5.7%). Between-group comparisons revealed significant superiority of aerobic exercise across all outcomes (p<0.001, η²=0.142). Aerobic exercise combined with vitamin D supplementation most effectively reduces oxidative stress and inflammation in MDD, suggesting potential as an adjunctive treatment targeting underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.