Effect of a period of high-intensity interval training on regulation signaling of factors involved in vascular changes (molecular and tissue) following myocardial ischemia

Introdution: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a period of high-intensity interval training on regulation signaling of factors involved in vascular changes following myocardial ischemia. Methods: 28 rats (200-250 g) were randomly assigned into four groups of sham, ischemia, training, and training-ischemia in this study. Myocardial infarction was performed by closing descending coronary artery for 30 minutes. The training program on treadmill was performed for 40 minutes, 3 days a week, for 8 weeks. SPSS software (21) and one way ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. Also, Bonferron's post hoc test was used to determine the difference between groups. Results: The results showed a significant difference in expression level of HIF-1, AKT, VEGF, apelin, and apelin receptor between the 4 groups (p = 0.001). The results of Bonferroni post hoc test showed that expression level of VEGF, apelin, and apelin receptor in training-ischemia group was significantly increased compared to  sham, ischemia and exercise training groups. The results also showed that there was no difference between interval training group and myocardial ischemia and sham groups (p > 0.05). High-intensity interval training during an ischemic intervention increased AKT expression level, but exercise training itself did not make this change (p > 0.05). HIF1-a expression level was significantly increased in ischemia group compared to sham and exercise training groups. Conclusion: HIIT training improves signaling of the factors involved in vascular changes (molecular) and ultimately reduces myocardial infarction size (tissue) following myocardial ischemia