The Effect of High-intensity Interval Training and L-carnitine on the Expression of Some Pro-inflammatory Genes in the Liver and Cardiac Tissues of Rats

Inflammation is characterized by interactions between cytokines and inflammatory pathogens. Cytokines are glycoproteins involved in inflammation. Exercise training and physical activity are associated with a healthy lifestyle. In the current study, we aimed to determine the effects of high intensity interval training (HIIT) and L-Carnitine (LCAR) on the expression of genes involved in inflammation and inflammatory pathways in the liver and heart of rats.

Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the four groups (n = 8): 1. Untreated control group, 2. LCAR group (received 200 mg/kg LCAR daily), 3. HIIT group (performed high intensity interval training), 4. Exercise training + LCAR.

The results of our study showed that HIIT + LCAR significantly reduced the expression of IL-1β in the liver compared to the HIIT group (p = 0.038). The combination of HIIT and LCAR decreased IL-6 expression in the liver tissue compared to the control (p <0.001), LCAR (p <0.001), and HIIT (p = 0.002) groups. The HIIT + LCAR group decreased Cox 2 gene expression in the liver tissue compared to the untreated control group (p <0.001), and LCAR group (p = 0.007). The combination of HIIT and LCAR reduced IL-1β expression in the cardiac tissue compared to the untreated control (p <0.001), LCAR (p = 0.034), and HIIT (p = 0.041) groups. The combination of HIIT and LCAR increased IL-6 expression in the cardiac tissue compared to the other three groups (p <0.001).

According to the obtained results, HIIT combined with LCAR administration is very useful in reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory genes in the heart and liver tissues.