Showing 8 results for Interval Training
Bahareh Yazdanparast Chaharmahali, Mohammad Ali Azarbayjani, Maghsood Peeri, Parvin Farzanegi Arkhazloo,
Volume 6, Issue 4 (12-2018)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Elderly is characterized by decreased cardiac function, which is widely associated with mitochondrial failure in cell death. Elderly causes heart apoptosis. Although the old heart is vulnerable to apoptosis, physical training and some supplements through different mechanisms could be effective in reducing apoptosis. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of interval training on some apoptotic parameters of Bax and Bcl2 cardiomyocytes in old female rats.
Methods: In an experimental study, 49 Wistar female rats (2 years old) were randomly assigned into 7 groups: control, saline, curcumin, moderate intensity training, moderate intensity training + curcumin, high intensity training, high intensity training + curcumin. The experimental groups received gavage doses of curcumin 30 mg / kg body weight three days a week via. The saline group also received the same amount of saline. Training groups had moderate and severe exercises on the treadmill for eight weeks, and three sessions per week. Forty-eight hours after the last training session and gavage, the animals were killed and their heart tissues were isolated to determine the levels of Bax and Bcl2.
Results: The results indicated that interval training and curcumin consumption could significantly increase the levels of Bcl2 and BAX and the BAX / Bcl2 ratio, the amount of which depends on the intensity of training. Moreover, the combination of training and curcumin had an antagonistic effect.
Conclusion: According to the results, physical activity and curcumin separately have a protective effect on the heart tissue; however, these two interventions do not enhance each other’s effect. Hence each one is suggested to be used separately.
Hamid Reza Zolfi, Amir Shakib, Zahra Niknam, Zhaleh Pashaei,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Background: Metabolic syndrome, a problem of the present age, is a combination of several medical issues, and miRNAs play important regulatory roles in metabolic syndrome. Many studies indicate that high-intensity interval training (HITT) may improve risk factors for metabolic syndrome.
This study aimed to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of HIIT training on the changes in miR-21, miR-122, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), lipid profile, and glucose.
Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, middle-aged male (n=19) volunteers with metabolic syndrome (body mass index (BMI)>30) were randomly assigned to the control (n=9) and training (n=10) groups. The training program consisted of 8 weeks of HIIT training with 4 sets of workouts with an intensity of 80-90% heart rate for the training group (3 sessions per week during the first 4 weeks and 4 sessions per week during the second 4 weeks). Blood samples were collected from the subjects 48 hours before and after the last training session to analyze miR-21, miR-122, ALT, AST, HDL, LDL, triglyceride, cholesterol, and glucose. The within-group and between-group differences of data were analyzed using the paired t-tests and analysis of covariance at a significance level of P˂0.05 in SPSS software.
Results: This study indicated that HIIT caused a significant decrease in miR-122, ALT, AST, triglyceride, cholesterol, glucose, body weight indicators, fat percentage, and BMI (P˂0.05). Also, a significant increase in miR-21 and HDL levels was observed following HIIT training (P˂0.05).
Conclusion: HIIT training seems essential in metabolic changes, such as reducing the lipid profile, decreasing glucose, and improving liver damage by affecting miR-21 and miR-122 indicators as small regulatory transcripts. However, more extensive studies are needed in this field.
Rahil Shahriari, Homa Sheikhani Shahin, Mehrzad Moghaddasi, Alireza Jowhari,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (12-2023)
Abstract
Background: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is one of the prevalent metabolic diseases, and knowing its treatment methods is very important. This study investigates the effect of eight weeks of combined high-intensity interval training on intrahepatic FNDC5 protein and irisin in male rats with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Methods: In this study, 40 rats aged 6 to 8 weeks were divided into two groups: healthy (n=20) and high-fat diet (HFD) (n=20). After eight weeks and assurance of disease induction, the HFD group was randomly divided into control-patient (n=9) and training-patient (n=9). Also, the healthy group was divided into control-healthy (n=9) and training-healthy (n=9). The training group rats performed HIIT in aquatic and land environments (Saturdays and Wednesdays in aquatic environments and Mondays on a treadmill). Western blot method was used to measure FNDC5 and irisin proteins, and the spectrophotometric method was used to measure liver enzymes (ALT and AST). One-way ANOVA and Bonferroni's post hoc test (P<0.05) were used to determine the difference between groups.
Results: After eight weeks of combined high-intensity interval training, there was no significant difference in intrahepatic FNDC5 protein levels between the groups (P=0.125). Intrahepatic irisin protein levels significantly increased in the training-healthy group compared to the control-healthy group (P=0.046). Additionally, there was a significant increase in the training-patient group compared to the control-patient group (P=0.036) and a significant increase in the training-healthy group compared to the control-patient group (P=0.011).
Conclusion: In general, combined high-intensity interval training (aquatic + land) can increase intrahepatic irisin. Thus, this type of training can be considered one of the potential non-pharmacological options for treating NAS. However, more research is needed to reach definitive results.
Farnaz Seifi, Mojdeh Khajehlandi,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (12-2023)
Abstract
Background: The use of complementary medicine in healthcare is increasing rapidly. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training with quercetin supplementation on the gene expression of FOXO1 and ATG5 in the liver of diabetic obese rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 42 male Wistar rats were considered research samples at eight weeks. Rats were induced with diabetes after eight weeks of a high-fat diet and familiarization with a laboratory environment and treadmill. Rats were divided into seven groups, and six rats were placed in each group (n=6): healthy control group, diabetes control group, diabetic quercetin group, high-intensity interval training with diabetes group, moderate-intensity continuous training with diabetes group, diabetic high-intensity interval training with quercetin group, and diabetic moderate-intensity continuous training with quercetin group. For one training group, eight weeks of high-intensity interval training, and for the other group, eight weeks of moderate-intensity continuous training on the treadmill were performed. Seventy-two hours after the last training session, liver tissues were isolated to check the gene expression of FOXO1 and ATG5. One-way analysis of variance test was used to check the difference between groups by SPSS version 26 software.
Results: Findings showed that by inducing type 2 diabetes, gene expression of FOXO1 increased (3.14 unit) (P<0.001) and ATG5 gene expression decreased (0.71 unit) (P<0.001). After eight weeks of training investigation, gene expression of FOXO1 and ATG5 decreased (P<0.001) and increased (P<0.001), respectively, in all training groups compared to the diabetic control group. There was no significant difference between the four training groups (P>0/05).
Conclusion: Both exercises with and without quercetin had a modulating effect on the gene expression of indicators related to the process of autophagy and blood glucose levels in the liver of diabetic obese rats.
Sara Ghasdi , Mohammad Rami , Abdolhamid Habibi ,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (3-2025)
Abstract
Background: Research has shown that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a convenient and time-efficient approach that promotes oxidative capacity. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of HIIT on the gene expression of some inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers of hippocampal tissue in aged male Wistar rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 21 male Wistar rats were divided into three equal groups: 1- control (C), 2- elderly control (EC), and 3- elderly training (ET). After two weeks of adaptation to the laboratory environment, six weeks of HIIT were performed for the training group. Forty-eight hours after the last training session, hippocampal tissue was isolated to examine the mean levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-6, and IL-1β gene expression. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc test with a significance level of 0.05 were used to analyze the data.
Results: There was a significant increase in the expression of IL-6 and IL-1β, while a significant decrease in IL-10 expression (p=0.001) in the C group compared to the EC. After six weeks of HIIT, expression of IL-6 (p=0.001) and IL-1β (p=0.001) significantly decreased, whereas IL-10 expression significantly increased (p=0.001) in the ET group compared to the EC group.
Conclusion: It seems that HIIT activity has beneficial effects on preventing the process of neural degeneration. Moreover, it is promising as a non-pharmacological strategy for controlling complications resulting from the aging process due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Farah Nameni , Elham Jebraiili ,
Volume 13, Issue 3 (10-2025)
Abstract
Background: Adaptation to hypoxia can improve cardiac function and reduce cardiac complications of diabetes. This study aimed to determine the effect of HIIT on the expression of VEGF-A and HIF-1α in the hearts of diabetic rats.
Methods: Male Wistar rats (weighing 200–250 g and eight weeks old) were used in this study. Rats in the training group warmed up for 5 minutes, then performed a HIIT swimming protocol (14 repetitions of 20 seconds with 10 seconds of rest; eight weeks, three sessions per week). An external load equivalent to 7% of body weight was attached to the base of the tail in the first week and gradually increased by 1% in the following weeks (eighth week: load equivalent to 14% of body weight). Twenty-two rats were made diabetic by subcutaneous injection of streptozotocin. Seven days after injection, rats with blood sugar levels above 300 mg/dL were selected as diabetic samples. Eleven rats were placed in the healthy control group. After eight weeks, the rats were anesthetized and their hearts were removed for sampling. Gene expression was examined using real-time PCR. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation; one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test were used.
Results: VEGF-A mRNA expression in the HIIT group increased by 60% compared to the diabetic group (p < 0.06). In the diabetic group, VEGF-A mRNA expression showed a 47% decrease compared to the control group (p < 0.001). HIF-1α mRNA expression in the HIIT group increased by about 27% compared to the diabetic group (p < 0.001). HIF-1α mRNA expression in the diabetic group decreased by about 25% compared to the control group (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Diabetes impairs the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF-A, and HIIT increases the expression of these genes in heart tissue.
Mohammadnoor Mohayya , Ali Rajabi , Mojdeh Khajehlandi ,
Volume 14, Issue 1 (1-2026)
Abstract
Background: MuRF1 and Atrogin-1 are two key genes involved in the muscle atrophy pathway and are upregulated in diabetes, particularly under conditions of insulin resistance and inflammation, leading to increased degradation of muscle proteins and reduced muscle mass. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate changes in MuRF1 and Atrogin-1 gene expression in the soleus muscle of obese diabetic rats following 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) combined with quercetin supplementation.
Methods: In this experimental study, 25 adult male rats (Age= 12 weeks old and weight= 180-200 gr) were purchased and randomly assigned to five groups: healthy control (HC, n= 5), diabetes control (DC, n= 5), quercetin control (QC, n= 5), HIIT (HIIT, n= 5), and HIIT with quercetin (QHIIT, n= 5). Eight weeks of HIIT training was performed. Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) was induced in the rats using STZ and 8 weeks of a high-fat diet. Quercetin was injected for 8 weeks in the supplementation groups. One-way analysis of variance with Tukey's post-hoc test was used to analyze the data. Significance was set at P-Value < 0.05.
Results: The results showed that after T2DM induction, blood glucose and MuRF1 and Atrogin-1 gene expression levels in the soleus muscle of rats significantly increased (P-Value<0.001). After eight weeks of training and supplementation interventions, blood glucose significantly decreased in all intervention groups (P-Value =0.001), and only in the HIIT with quercetin supplementation group was there a significant decrease in both MuRF1 and Atrogin-1 gene expression (P-Value =0.001).
Conclusion: HIIT and quercetin supplementation alone reduced blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. Although HIIT and quercetin supplementation alone did not affect MuRF1 and Atrogin-1 gene expression, the combination of both interventions resulted in significant changes. This suggests that the combined use of HIIT exercise and quercetin supplementation has a notable effect on selected factors related to atrophy in diabetic rats.
Somayyeh Norouzi , Iman Fathi, Seyyed Ali Hosseini,
Volume 14, Issue 1 (1-2026)
Abstract
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with reduced neurotrophic factors such as Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in peripheral tissues. This study aimed to investigate the effects of eight weeks of Low-Intensity Continuous Training (LICT) and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) combined with crocin administration on BDNF and NGF gene expression in the gastrocnemius muscle of diabetic rats induced by a High-Fat Diet (HFD).
Methods: In this experimental study, 42 male Sprague-Dawley rats (Mean weight 229 ± 8.9 g) were fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks, followed by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 30 mg/kg) to induce type 2 diabetes. The rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=7): (1) Diabetic Control, (2) Crocin (25 mg/kg daily), (3) LICT, (4) HIIT, (5) LICT + Crocin, and (6) HIIT + Crocin. Crocin (Or saline) was injected 2 hours prior to each training session. The training protocols were performed on a rodent treadmill in five sessions per week for eight weeks. Forty-eight hours after the final session, gastrocnemius muscle tissue was extracted, and BDNF and NGF gene expression levels were measured using Real-Time PCR. The sample size was calculated using G-Power (Power = 0.80, α = 0.05), and blinding was applied during injections and PCR analyses. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05.
Results: One way ANOVA revealed significant effects of interventions on BDNF (F5,36 = 7.480, P-Value < 0.001) and NGF (F5,36 = 10.291, P-Value < 0.001) gene expression. Although the study was not designed to formally test interaction effects, the combination groups (LICT+Crocin and HIIT+Crocin) consistently showed higher mean values compared to single intervention groups, suggesting an additive or potentiating effect. Post-hoc analysis indicated that the HIIT + Crocin group exhibited significantly higher BDNF and NGF gene expression compared to all other groups (P-Value < 0.05). The LICT + Crocin group also showed significant increases compared to the control and single intervention groups. A comparison between LICT+Crocin and HIIT-only showed a trend toward significance but did not reach statistical significance (P-Value = 0.065).
Conclusion: The combination of exercise training and crocin, particularly the combined effect of High-Intensity Interval Training with crocin, significantly upregulates BDNF and NGF gene expression in the skeletal muscle of diabetic rats. This combined strategy may serve as a potential adjunctive approach for improving the muscular neurotrophic environment in diabetes. Future studies with factorial designs are needed to confirm synergistic interactions.
