The Effect of 8 Weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) with Curcumin Supplementation on Expression of Mitochondrial Cardiomyocyte drp1 and MFN2 Genes in Male Stroke Model Rats

This study aimed to assess the effect of 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with curcumin supplementation on expression OF mitochondrial cardiomyocyte drp1 and MFN2 genes in male stroke model rats.

In this experimental study, 32 male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of HIIT, supplement, control and supplement + training. The exercise group was exposed to HIIT for 8 weeks. Training program in the two groups of HIIT and training + supplementation included performing 10 periods of 4-minute activities with an intensity of 85%-90% VO2max, and at this time, the supplementary group did not have training program. The expression of mitochondrial drp1 and MFN2 genes was obtained by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Shapiro-Wilk tests.

The results of one-way ANOVA showed a significant difference between the means of all of the groups in expression of mitochondrial Drp1 and MFN2 genes. The results of Tukey test showed a significant decrease in Drp1 gene expression in both training and exercise + supplement groups compared to the supplement and control groups and a significant increase in MFN2 gene expression in both training and supplement + supplement groups compared to the supplement and control groups.

HIIT with curcumin supplementation can improve the function of the cardiomyocytes' mitochondria of male myocardial infarction rats by modulating fusion and fission processes.