Effect of Continues Training and High Intensity Interval Training on miR-29a and CTGF Gene Expression in Male Wistar Diabetic Rats’ Heart Tissue

Objective: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and continues aerobic training (CT) have cardio-protective effects in diabetic rats. The functional role of microRNA in heart was studied. Only miR-29a levels were found to correlate with cardiac fibrosis, This study tests the hypothesis that applying HIIT and CT cases miR-29a increasing is associated with a reduction of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)  induced cardiac fibrosis. Materials and Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 18 male diabetic rats were included. They were divided into 3 groups called as HIIT, CT and control. Exercise protocol was performed 5 days/week for 5 weeks. The miR-29a and CTGF synthesis were compared between the groups by real time- PCR. Results: Our results demonstrated that elevation of miR-29a using HIIT (2.67 , P=0.010,) or CT (1.79 , P=0.002) are effective in inhibiting CTGF (HIIT:0.17 P=0.000-CT:0.39 -induced cardiac fibrosis, suggesting that these types training would be selected as a new adjunctive therapy in the heart fibrosis- derived diabetic. Discussion: The HIIT and CT showed increased levels of miR-29a compared CT group which is shown to decrease CTGF level resulting into lowered fibrosis of heart tissue in diabetic patients.