Effect of Endurance Training Under Microgravity Condition on Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

Background and Aim: Exposure to microgravity conditions is associated with changes in the cardiovascular system. Physical activities are employed to reduce deleterious physiologic effects of long-duration microgravity exposure. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effect of endurance training on serum levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) under simulated microgravity condition. Materials and Methods: A total of 42 male Wistar rats were randomly selected and divided into five groups of SST (suspension and suspension training, n=10), SET (suspension and endurance training, n=6), S (suspension without training, n=10), ET (endurance training, n=6), and C (control, n=10). Serum VEGF levels were measured by ELISA kit before and after training. Oneway ANOVA with a Bonferroni post hoc analysis was employed to test the research hypothesis. Results: Our results showed that six weeks of endurance training in simulated microgravity increased serum VEGF levels in the SST group compared to the S and control groups (P≤0.001), while six weeks resting in simulated microgravity condition did not significantly affect serum levels of VEGF (P>0.999). Conclusion: Endurance training in simulated microgravity could affect VEGF and angiogenesis. In addition, endurance training in simulated weightlessness condition could be effective in rehabilitating patients with cardiovascular diseases.