Effects of Time-Restricted Eating Alone vs. TRE Combined with Elastic-Band Resistance Exercise on Inflammatory Responses and Oxidative Stress in People with Obesity

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the effects of time-restricted eating (TRE) alone and TRE combined with resistance exercise on inflammatory responses and oxidative stress levels in adults with obesity. Methods: Sixty adults who met the diagnostic criteria for obesity were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 20), a TRE group (n = 20), or a TRE plus resistance exercise group (n = 20). The TRE group underwent a 12-week TRE intervention, with an eating window from 08:00 to 16:00. Dietary composition was not modified, and total daily energy intake was maintained at baseline levels. During the remaining hours, participants strictly abstained from consuming energy-containing foods and beverages. In addition to the same TRE protocol, the combined intervention group performed elastic-band resistance exercise three times per week for 30–45 min per session. Those in the control group were instructed to maintain their usual sedentary behavior patterns and dietary habits, including food types and quantities, and to strictly avoid regular physical exercise throughout the trial. In all three groups, inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, sICAM-1, CRP, and IFN-γ) and oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD, 8-OHdG, CAT, and TAC) were assessed before the intervention and after its completion. Changes in these markers were compared across the three groups, with TNF-α and MDA designated as the primary outcome measures. After completion of the trial, three participants were excluded from each group, leaving 17 participants per group for the final data analysis. Results: Before the intervention, no significant between-group differences were observed in TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, sICAM-1, CRP, IFN-γ, MDA, SOD, 8-OHdG, CAT, TAC, or energy intake (all p > 0.05). Compared with their respective baseline values, the TRE group showed significant reductions in TNF-α, MDA, and 8-OHdG levels and a significant increase in TAC levels (all p < 0.05). The combined intervention group showed significant reductions in TNF-α, IL-6, sICAM-1, MDA, and 8-OHdG levels and significant increases in IL-10, IL-4, SOD, and TAC levels (all p < 0.05). After the intervention, compared with the control group, the TRE and combined intervention groups had significantly lower levels of TNF-α, IL-6, sICAM-1, MDA, and 8-OHdG (all p < 0.05), whereas the combined intervention group had significantly higher levels of IL-10, IL-4, SOD, and TAC (all p < 0.05). In addition, IL-4 and SOD levels were significantly higher in the combined intervention group than in the TRE group after the intervention (both p < 0.05). No significant within- or between-group differences were observed for CRP, IFN-γ, CAT, or energy intake (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: TRE alone and TRE combined with elastic-band resistance exercise improved inflammatory responses and oxidative stress levels in people with obesity after 12 weeks; however, the overall effects of the two interventions did not differ significantly.