High-Intensity Interval Training Improved the Expression of Serotonin and Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor in Myocardial Infarction Rats

Depression is one of the psychiatric consequences of myocardial infarction (MI). Increased inflammatory factors after MI change limbic system volume through cell death and neurogenesis imbalance. Brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and serotonin are effective neurogenesis factors in depression. It is accepted that training can increase neurotrophic factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high intensity interval training (HIIT) on hippocampus serotonin and BDNF in post MI rats. 32 adult male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: ischemia/reperfusion control (MI-CTL), ischemia/reperfusion HIIT (MI-HIIT), HIIT/healthy rats (HIIT) and sham. Ischemic modeling was induced by the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) ligation. HIIT started 4 weeks of recovery after LAD ligation. Rats had the training for 40 min., 3 days a week for 8 weeks. The results showed a significant increase in exercise capacity and cardiac function indices (ejection fraction and shortening fraction) in MI-HIIT group compared with MI-CTL group (P<0.05). HIIT significantly increased the expression of serotonin and BDNF in MI group (P<0.05). HIIT increased serotonin and BDNF following MI.