Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training on Cardiac Apoptosis Markers in Methamphetamine-Dependent Rats.

Area of Science:

• Sports science
• Cardiology
• Molecular biology

Background:

• Chronic methamphetamine (METH) use is linked to cardiac apoptosis, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death.
• High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has shown potential in reducing cardiac apoptosis, but its molecular mechanisms in METH-dependent individuals are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of HIIT on cardiac apoptosis markers in a rat model of chronic methamphetamine dependence.
• To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac apoptosis and potential protective effects of HIIT.

Main Methods:

• Rats were administered METH for 21 days.
• The METH-HIIT group underwent 8 weeks of HIIT (5 sessions/week).
• Gene expression of apoptosis markers (caspase-3) and related proteins (melusin, FAK, IQGAP1) in left ventricular tissue was analyzed.

Main Results:

• METH exposure significantly increased caspase-3 expression and decreased melusin, FAK, and IQGAP1 in cardiac tissue.
• HIIT intervention in METH-dependent rats led to decreased caspase-3 and increased melusin and FAK gene expression compared to METH-only groups.
• IQGAP1 expression was higher in the METH-HIIT group than the METH group, but similar to the METH-control group.

Conclusions:

• Twenty-one days of METH exposure elevates cardiac apoptosis markers in rats.
• HIIT demonstrates a potential protective effect against METH-induced cardiac apoptosis, as evidenced by the modulation of key molecular markers.