ABSTRACT
Introduction: The purpose of present study was to investigate the effects of high intensity interval training [HIIT] and moderate-intensity continuous training [MICT] on vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] gene expression in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues in male Wistar rats
Materials and Methods: For this experimental study, 24 male Wistar rats [250+/-20 gram] were divided in to 4 groups [n=6 each] basal control [n=6], 8 week controls [n=6], MICT [n=6], and HIIT [n=6] groups. The training program was running on the 4 treadmill for 8 weeks/5 days per week. Intensity of the MICT protocol was 50-75% of VO2 max, and the duration was approxinately 15 to 60 minutes, which progressively increased. The HIIT protocol was 4-8×1 min with 70-100% of VO2 max and 1 min recovery with 50-70% VO2 max, for a total duration of 15 to 23 minutes. Adipose tissue samples were removed 48 hours after the last training session and VEGF gene expression was measured by Real-Time PCR methods
Results: Results indicated that both MICT and HIIT induced significant increase in subcutaneous VEGF gene expression [P/=0.05]
Conclusion: Based on findings, the MICT protocol, HIIT exercise training in particular, has more effects on subcutaneous adipose tissue angiogenesis than on visceral adipose tissue