The Effect of Interval Training and Consuming Fenugreek Seed Extract on FGF-21 and VEGF Gene Expression in Patients With Coronary Artery Diseases

Aims: A high-fat diet, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle are the major causes of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). This study aimed to explore the effect of interval training and the consumption of fenugreek seed extract on FGF-21 and VEGF gene expression among patients with CAD. Methods & Materials: The present quasi-experimental study was conducted on a sample of 32 male patients with CAD, aged between 55 and 65 years. They were randomly divided into four groups: control, training only, fenugreek only, and training + fenugreek. The training program consisted of eight weeks of interval running, three sessions per week with an intensity of 55% and 65% of heart rate reserve, with a gradually increasing intensity. Subjects consumed 10 mg/kg of fenugreek extract daily. Real-time PCR was used to measure the expression of FGF-21 and VEGF genes. Findings: The results showed that the mean expression ratios of FGF-21 in training only, fenugreek only, and training + fenugreek groups were significantly higher than the control group (P<0.0001). The fenugreek + training group had a greater significant increase (P<0.0001) more than the training + fenugreek group. Moreover, the mean Coefficient of Variation (CV) of VEGF gene expression was significantly increased more than that in the training group (P<0.0001), fenugreek group (P=0.0004), and the training + fenugreek group (P<0.0001), compared to the control group. The fenugreek + training group had a greater and more significant increase than the training only (P=0.0181) and the fenugreek only groups (P<0.0495). Conclusion: The results showed that a combination of interval training and consumption of fenugreek seed extract increased the CV of FGF-21 and VEGF gene expression and thus, have beneficial effects on the angiogenesis pathway in patients with CADs.