Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 Alpha (HIF-1α) Gene Expression in Heart Tissue and Insulin Resistance Index in Type 2 Diabetic Rats

 Background and Aim: One of the most common metabolic diseases is diabetes with hyperglycemic properties and endogenous insulin dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of 10 weeks HIIT on HIF-1α gene expression in heart tissue of rats with type 2 diabetes. Methods: In this experimental study, 36 Wister rats with a mean weight of 200±58g were randomly assigned to control, diabetic, and diabetic training groups. The diabetic training group received HIIT 10 weeks after induction of diabetes. Twenty-four hours after the last training session, blood serum samples and heart tissue were collected for analysis. Data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test at a significance level of 0.05%.  Results: The results of the present study showed that type 2 diabetes significantly reduces the expression of the HIF-1α gene in the heart tissue of mice with type 2 diabetes (P=0.001). However, HIIT significantly increased the expression of the HIF-1α gene in the diabetic group with exercise compared to the diabetic control group (P = 0.001). The results also showed that HIIT training significantly reduced the insulin resistance index in the diabetic group with exercise compared to the diabetic control group (P = 0.001). At 10 weeks, HIIT had no significant effect on the left ventricular weight of heart tissue (P> 0.05). Conclusion: In general, based on our findings, diabetes appears to significantly reduce the expression of the HIF-1α gene in heart tissue and HIIT may increase insulin sensitivity and protect HIF-1α from their heart tissue.