Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is a progressive disease and is associated with increased systemic inflammation, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. Although neuroinflammation occurs in humans and rodents with HF, the underlying mechanisms underlying HF cognitive deficits are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-10), oxidant and antioxidant status (SOD and MDA) in the hippocampus of rats with heart failure.
Methods: In this study, 24 male Wistar rats with an average weight of 250 to 300 g were randomly divided into 3 groups including healthy (H), heart failure (HF), and heart failure and high-intensity interval training (HFT). Heart failure was induced by isoproterenol injection. After 8 weeks of HIIT, hippocampal tissue was removed and tissue levels of IL-1β, IL-10, SOD, and MDA were measured by ELISA.
Results: The results showed that tissue levels of MDA and IL-1β in the HF group increased compared to the H group, while SOD and IL-10 levels decreased compared to the H group (P<0.01). Eight weeks of HIIT decreased MDA and IL-1β levels and increased SOD and IL-10 levels compared to the HF group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Eight weeks of HIIT improved the balance of inflammatory, anti-inflammatory factors, and antioxidant status in the hippocampus of rats with heart failure. Reducing inflammatory and oxidant status and increasing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant levels may be effective in modulating neuroinflammation caused by heart failure.