The Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training and Quercetin Nanoliposome Consumption on Angiogenesis Indexes in the Heart Tissue of Myocardial Infarction Rats

Myocardial infarction (MI) is the death of the heart muscle tissue that causes damage and inflammation. Quercetin consumption and interval training can probably prevent the progression of this condition in the active parts of the myocardium by activating angiogenesis pathways and stimulating hypoxia factor-1a (HIF-1a) at the onset of infarction. This study investigated the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and quercetin nanoliposome consumption on angiogenesis indexes in the heart tissue of MI rats.

In this experimental study, 30 male rats weighing 250 ± 20 grams were randomly divided into five groups: 1) MI + training, 2) MI + supplement, 3) MI + training + supplement, 4) healthy control, and 5) MI. MI was induced by subcutaneous injection of isoprenaline hydrochloride at a dose of 80 mg/kg. Groups 2 and 3 received quercetin daily at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg by gavage. Groups 1 and 3 performed five sessions of training protocol per week. Then, the Smirnov-Kolmogorov, one-way analysis of variance, and Tukey’s post hoc test were used to analyze the data (P < 0.05).

Interval training and quercetin had a significant effect on increasing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and HIF-1a gene expression (P < 0.001).

The combined effect of interval training and quercetin consumption may prevent the progression of MI by activating VEGF and HIF-1a in the early stages and play an effective role in preventing this disease.