The Effect of Eight Weeks of Moderate-Intensity Endurance Training on the Expression of HIF-1 and VEGF Genes in the Heart Muscle of Male Rats with Myocardial Infarction

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as the strongest and most important stimulant of angiogenesis increases the migration and proliferation of endothelial cells and vascular network formation. The expression of this protein in hypoxia conditions is increased and stimulates angiogenesis by increasing the expression of hypoxia-induced factor (HIF-1). The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of eight weeks of moderate intensity endurance training on the expression of HIF-1 and VEGF genes in the heart muscle of male rats with myocardial infarction.

In the present experimental study conducted in 2019, 16 Wistar male rats of 10 weeks old and mean weight 250-300gr were allocated to two groups of Exercise (60 minutes of interval treadmill running for four minutes with the intensity of 65-70 and two minutes of active rest at 50-60 percent of VO2max for 5 days a week for 8 weeks) and control group (without any training). Real-time PCR was used to assess the expression of genes. Data were analyzed in SPSS18 using independent t test (P≤ 0.05).

The results of independent t-test related to experimental and control groups in VEGF and HIF-1 cardiac muscle index indicated that VEGF in the exercise group was significantly higher than the control group (p = 0.001) and also HIF-1 in the exercise group. It was significantly higher than the control group (p = 0.001).

In general, eight weeks of moderate intensity endurance training increases the effective factors in angiogenesis in male Wistar rats after myocardial infarction. Hypoxia resulting from eight moderate intensity endurance training increases HIF-1 and on the other hand this protein increased the expression of VEGF gene, which is the most important stimulator of angiogenesis, and ultimately increased angiogenesis in the heart muscle.