SYNERGISTIC EFFECT OF HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING (HIIT) COMBINED WITH CURCUMIN ON BAX AND BCL-2 GENE EXPRESSION IN SOLEUS MUSCLE OF DIABETIC RATS

Background: Imbalance of apoptotic factors plays important role in pathogenesis of diabetes. Considering the role of curcumin supplementation and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on these factors, the aim of this study was to investigate effects of four weeks of HIIT with curcumin supplementation on Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression in the soleus muscle of diabetic rats. Methods: Present study was experimental research. 30 male Wistar rats were divided into one normal control (NC), and four diabetic groups: control (DC), supplement (SDC), high-intensity interval training (DHIIT) and high-intensity interval training supplement (SDHIIT). The training protocol was performed five days a week for four weeks, which included five to seven two-minute intervals at 80 to 90% of maximum power until exhaustion and one-minute recovery at 30% of maximum power until exhaustion. At the same time, Curcumin gavage at a dose of 100 mg/kg was performed daily. Bax and BCL-2 gene expression levels were measured by the qReal-TimePCR method and data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance at a significant level of p≥0.05. Results: Bcl-2 gene expression was significantly increased in DHIIT and SDHIIT groups compared to DC (P= 0.000). Also, a significant decrease in Bax gene expression was observed in DHIIT and SDHIIT groups compared to DC (P=0.000). There was a significant difference between DHIIT and SDHIIT in Bcl-2 (P=0.000) and Bax (P=0.013) gene expression. Conclusion: It seems that HIIT in combination with curcumin supplementation, is more effective in improving the balance between apoptosis factors than any of these interventions alone.