The Effect of Interval Training on Cardiac Angiogenesis Capacity in Rats with Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) is the destruction and permanent and irreversible cell death of part of the cardiac muscle (myocardium) which occurs due to loss of blood flow to the heart. The condition disrupts individuals’ daily life and limits their performance. Evidence indicates the likely effect of exercise on increasing the capillary density of skeletal muscle and myocardium. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endostatin as well as their common receptors (Flt-1) are the most important factors involved in angiogenesis. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the effect of 6 weeks of interval training on the VEGF, Flt-1 and collagen 18 in rats with MI. 12 male Wistar rats with mean age of 10weeks and average weight of 250- 300 gr were infected with myocardial infarction and were assigned into two groups of (1) experimental (60 minutes of interval running on treadmill, each interval 4 minutes with the 60- 75 percent of Vo2max and 2 minutes of active rest at 50- 60 percent of Vo2max for four days in a week for a period of 6 weeks) and (2) control group (without any training). Gene expression was investigated by the PCR technique and Ejection fraction and Shortening fraction were investigated by echocardiograph. Data were analyzed by SPSS 18 using independent samples t-test (p≤0.05). Results showed that low intensity interval training had a significant effect on increasing the expression level of Flt-1 (P=0.02) and VEGF (P=0.01) genes and no significant change in collagen 18 (P=0.34). The overall results of the study supported the role of low-intensity interval training in increasing the basic factors affecting the process of angiogenesis after MI.