The Combined Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training and Soy Isoflavone Diet on MicroRNA-133 Gene in Ovariectomized Rats

 The combination of exercise and soy extract supplementation decreases cardiac related disease risk in postmenopausal women.

 We assessed the combined impacts of soy isoflavone (IF) supplementation and exercise on the expression of microRNA-133 gene in ovariectomized rats’ hearts.

 This study was conducted on 50 female Wistar rats, which were assigned to five groups, including sham-operated (SHAM), ovariectomized (OVX), ovariectomized with soy IF supplementation (OVX + IF), OVX with exercise (OVX + HIIT), and OVX with both soy IFs and exercise (OVX + IF + HIIT). The experimental rats underwent high-intensity interval training (5 days/week) and/or supplied a soy IF supplementation for six weeks. The cardiac microRNA-133 gene expression was analyzed using real-time PCR after six weeks of intervention.

 Ovariectomy down-regulated cardiac microRNA133 gene expression, but 42 days of IF administration or HIIT reversed this effect (P > 0.05). The HIIT reversed estrogen-deficiency-related microRNA-133 down-regulation greater than IF or combining IF and HIIT (P > 0.05). The OVX + IF and OVX + IF + HIIT (P > 0.05) showed no significant difference.

 Our results suggested that treatment with exercise, soy IF, and the combined treatment could benefit microRNA-133 in ovariectomized rats. This effect was significant when exercise alone was used to induce treatment. Thus, these treatments could offer protection in the menopausal period.