Effects of 6-weeks of continuous and HIIT training on gene expression of TGF-B, MMP-2 and TIMP-1 in lung tissues of male wistar rats

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the Evaluation of Changes in Gene Expression of TGF-β, MMP-2 and TIMP-1 in Lung Tissue of male wistar rats Following 6 Weeks of High Intensity Interval and Endurance Training. Method: In this experimental study, 18 male wistar rats (6 to 8 months) were selected and randomly divided into three groups of control (Con), moderate intensity continuous training (MCT) and High-intensity interval training (HIIT) groups. The aerobic training program consisted of 15 to 30 minutes of treadmill running at 65-70% VO2max intensity, 5 days a week for 6 weeks. The HIIT program consisted of 5 to 8 alternations (2 minutes) of 80 to 100 percent VO2max and 2 minutes of recovery with 50 to 60 percent of VO2max between each period for 6 weeks. After anesthesia, autopsy was performed and lung tissue was removed. TGF-β, MMP-2 and TIMP-1 gene expression in lung tissue was measured after training using Real Time PCR. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and LSD post hoc test at the P <0.05. Results: HIIT and MCT led to significant decrease in MMP-2 gene expression and significant increase in TIMP-1 and TGF-β gene expression in lung tissue compared to the control group (P=0.000). There was no significant difference in the relative expression of MMP-2 between the two groups of HIIT and MCT (P=0.832), but TIMP-1 and TGF-β gene expression in lung tissue was significantly higher in the HIIT group compared to the MCT group (P=0.000). Conclusion: It seems that HIIT training may be a more effective intervention to reduce lung fibrosis.