Effects of Continuous and High-Intensity Interval Aerobic Training on p53 and Bax Gene Expression and Their Association with Oxidative Stress and Programmed Cell Death in the Myocardium of Rats with Myocardial Infarction

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Sport Sciences, Na.C., Islamic Azad University, NajafAbad, Iran

2 Department of Sport Sciences, Na.C., Islamic Azad University, NajafAbad, Iran (Corresponding Author)

3 Department of Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

10.22038/mjms.2025.27620

Abstract

Introduction: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of cardiovascular mortality worldwide and is associated with increased oxidative stress and programmed cell death in cardiac tissue. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on p53 and Bax gene expression, as well as their association with oxidative stress and apoptosis in the myocardium of male Wistar rats following MI.
 Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats (aged 10–12 weeks, weighing 275 ± 25 g) were randomly assigned to five groups: healthy control (Ct), sham-operated (Sham), MI without training (OLAD), MI + MICT, and MI + HIIT. Myocardial infarction was induced via ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery and confirmed by electrocardiography and echocardiography. The MICT protocol consisted of 50-minute sessions at 50–60% VO₂max, whereas the HIIT protocol included seven 4-minute intervals at 85–90% VO₂max interspersed with 3-minute active recovery periods. Training was performed five days per week for eight weeks. Gene expression levels (p53 and Bax) and oxidative stress markers (SOD, GPx, GSH/GSSG ratio, TAC, and 8-OHdG) were assessed using real-time PCR and ELISA.
Results: MI significantly increased p53 expression (1.8-fold) and Bax levels (0.65 ng/mg), accompanied by elevated oxidative damage markers (8-OHdG, NOX4, and p66Shc) and reduced antioxidant capacity (SOD and GSH/GSSG ratio). Both MICT and HIIT significantly attenuated these alterations; however, HIIT demonstrated greater efficacy in reducing p53 expression (p = 0.047) and 8-OHdG levels. Regression analysis indicated that SOD, GSH/GSSG ratio, and 8-OHdG were significant predictors of apoptotic gene expression.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that HIIT is more effective than MICT in attenuating MI-induced apoptosis through modulation of oxidative stress pathways and may serve as a promising strategy for optimizing cardiac rehabilitation interventions.

Keywords

Medical Journal of Mashhad university of Medical Sciences
Volume 68, Issue 5
November and December 2025

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