The Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training on Inflammatory Markers in Cardiac Tissue of Mice Fed a High-Fat, High-Carbohydrate Diet

Akram Ahmad Al-Karawi, mostafa; Elaheh Malekyan-Fini, Elahe; Khalafi, Musa

doi:10.48307/FMSJ.2026.30.3.298

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Volume 30, Issue 3 (Bimonthly 2026)

Feyz Med Sci J 2026, 30(3): 298-307

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The Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training on Inflammatory Markers in Cardiac Tissue of Mice Fed a High-Fat, High-Carbohydrate Diet

Mostafa Akram Ahmad Al-Karawi

, Elahe Elaheh Malekyan-Fini ^*

, Musa Khalafi

Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran , malekyian.e@kashanu.ac.ir

Abstract: (495 Views)

Background and Aim: A high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet can promote inflammation and activate inflammatory pathways, including the NF-κB pathway, thereby contributing to cardiac tissue damage and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on the inflammatory markers TNF-α, NF-κB, and IL-1β in the cardiac tissue of mice fed a high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet.
Methods: In this experimental study, 18 mice were divided into three groups: control (CON), fed a standard diet; Western diet (WD); and Western diet plus HIIT (WD+HIIT). The Western diet consisted of 20% protein, 35% carbohydrate, and 45% fat. The HIIT protocol was performed for four weeks, three sessions per week, and consisted of 10 bouts of 2-minute running at 85–90% of maximal speed, interspersed with 2-minute active recovery periods at 50% of maximal speed, on a treadmill with a 5° incline.
Results: The WD group showed significantly higher levels of TNF-α, NF-κB, and IL-1β than the CON group (P<0.05). HIIT reduced all three inflammatory markers in the WD+HIIT group; however, the reductions in NF-κB and IL-1β were statistically significant (P<0.05), whereas the reduction in TNF-α was not significant (P>0.05).
Conclusion: HIIT may attenuate diet-induced cardiac inflammation by reducing some inflammatory markers in mice fed a high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet and may therefore be considered a potential non-pharmacological approach for modulating inflammation.

Keywords: High-intensity interval training, High-fat, High-carbohydrate diet, Inflammatory markers, TNF-α, NF-κB, IL-1β

Full-Text [PDF 747 kb] (34 Downloads)

Type of Study: Research | Subject: General
Received: 2026/02/18 | Revised: 2026/08/25 | Accepted: 2026/07/1 | Published: 2026/07/1

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‎ 10.48307/FMSJ.2026.30.3.298

Ethics code: IR.UT.SPORT.REC.1403.112

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Akram Ahmad Al-Karawi M, Elaheh Malekyan-Fini E, Khalafi M. The Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training on Inflammatory Markers in Cardiac Tissue of Mice Fed a High-Fat, High-Carbohydrate Diet. Feyz Med Sci J 2026; 30 (3) :298-307
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