The effect of high-intensity interval training along with curcumin consumption on mitochondrial caspase 3 and 9 gene expression of cardiomyocyte in male rat of the stroke model

Apoptosis is a protective cellular process and physical activity and curcumin may affect some signaling pathways related to apoptosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and curcumin consumption on mitochondrial caspase 3 and 9 gene expression of cardiomyocyte in male rat of the stroke model.

In this experimental study, 32 male rats with myocardial infarction were assigned randomly into 4 equal groups (n=8) of HIIT, supplement, control, and supplement+HIIT. The HIIT groups were subjected to high-intensity interval training (10 bouts of 4-minute activity with an intensity of 85-90% of VO2max) for 8 weeks. The amount of 15 mg of pure curcumin per kilogram of body weight was given by a gavage to the supplement and HIIT+supplement groups, 5 days a week. All rats were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of ketamine and xylazine, 48 hours after the last training session, then surgery and dissection of the rats were performed.

The results showed a significant decrease in the expression of caspase 3 and 9 genes in the HIIT and HIIT+supplement groups compared to the control and supplement groups.

It seems that HIIT and curcumin consumptions lead to a reduction of mitochondrial apoptosis in cardiac muscle. The present findings show that the expression of caspase 3 and 9 in cardiac tissue is a trainable factor.