Effect of High Intensity Interval Training with Flaxseed on Interleukin-1 Beta and Lipocalin-2 Gene Expressions in the Heart Tissue of Rats

Background: Inflammation plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and lipocalin-2 (LCN-2) are important inflammatory markers in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the interactive effects of high intensity interval exercises (HIIT) with flaxseed oil consumption on IL-1β and LCN-2 gene expressions in the heart tissue of rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 20 adult male Wistar rats were randomly selected and divided into four groups of five rats: (1) Control, (2) HIIT, (3) 20 mg/kg of flaxseed oil, and (4) HIIT with mg/kg 20 flaxseed oil. Groups 2 and 4 ran on a treadmill for 10 weeks and five weeks each, with 90% to 95% intensity of VO2max . For analysis of the research findings, Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistical analysis and two-way ANOVA were used (P ≤ 0.05). Results: Ten weeks of HIIT (P = 0.001) and flaxseed oil consumption (P = 0.03) had a significant effect on reducing the LCN-2 gene expression in the heart tissue of rats. However, 10 weeks of HIIT (P = 0.19) and flaxseed oil consumption (P = 0.19) had no significant effect on IL-1β gene expression in the heart tissue of rats. In addition, 10 weeks of HIIT with flaxseed oil has no interactive effects on IL-1β (P = 0.91) and LCN-2 (P = 0.99) in the heart tissue of rats. Conclusions: Although it seems that the simultaneous use of flaxseed oil with HIIT does not have interactive effects on IL-1β and LCN-2 gene expressions in the heart tissue of rats, the use of flaxseed oil and HIIT alone results in improved LCN-2 gene expression in the heart tissue of rats.