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Background and Objective: Previous studies have reported inconsistent findings about the effect of endurance training on level of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in obese individuals. This study was performed to determine the effect of resistance training on serum level of IL-18 and hsCRP in obese men. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, eighteen obese men were randomly divided into training and control groups. After 12-hours fasting, height, weight, body mass index, body fat percent, serum level of IL-18 and hsCRP were assessed before and after training period. Resistance training protocol consisted of twelve weeks training, 3 sessions training per week, each session for 60 minutes. Results: Mean±SD of IL-18 were 323.34±46.57 pg/ml and 239.43±53.75 pg/ml in training and control groups, respectively. Mean±SD of hsCRP was 3.83±3.65 µg/ml and 3.03±2.98 µg/ml in training and control groups, respectively. This difference was not significant. Conclusion: Performing resistance training for twelve weeks did not significantly reduce IL-18 and hsCRP in obese men.

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Background and Objective: The interleukin-18 (IL-18) gene on chromosome 11 has been suggested as a susceptibility factor for allergies. It is a member of the IL-1 family that was originally described as interferon (IFN-γ)–inducing factor. IL-18 might initiate Th2 responses with production of IgE via the stimulation of IL-4 and IL-13 synthesis in mast cells and in basophil and eosinophil recruitment, such as allergic inflammation. This study was done to assess the association of Interleukin-18 gene polymorphism -137G/C with allergic rhinitis. Methods: This case-control study was performed on 293 allergic rhinitis patients and 218 healthy control volunteers .The IL-18 polymorphism was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Results: The frequency of the GG, GC and CC genotypes were 64.2%, 32.1% and 3.7% in healthy controls and 60.1%, 35.5% and 4.4% in allergic rhinitis patients, respectively. This diference was not significant. Conclusion: This study suggests that IL-18 polymorphism gene -137G/C may not be participated as a risk factor in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis.