# Transcriptomic Analysis of High-Intensity Interval Training in High-Fat-Diet-Induced Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats’ Brains

## TL;DR

This study shows that high-intensity interval training in hypertensive rats reduces brain cell death and improves memory and circadian rhythms.

## Contribution

The study reveals novel transcriptomic effects of HIIT on apoptosis, autophagy, and brain function in hypertensive rats.

## Key findings

- HIIT modulates 1223 genes in hypertensive rats' brains, with 51 showing strong significance.
- Key genes linked to apoptosis and autophagy are altered, including seven downregulated and one upregulated.
- HIIT improves circadian rhythm, long-term memory processes, and hypoxia response in hypertensive brains.

## Abstract

Hypertension contributes to brain dysfunction through apoptosis, oxidative stress, reduced neuronal connectivity, and neurotransmitter imbalance. Exercise training is a non-pharmacological strategy known to modulate these molecular alterations. This study investigated the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on transcriptomic changes in the cerebral cortex of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Rats were assigned to either a HIIT intervention group (HIIT-HFD-SHR) or a sedentary control group (HFD-SHR). Cortical RNA was extracted, sequenced using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform, and analyzed with DESeq2. Functional enrichment was conducted using Metascape. RNA-seq identified 1223 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (adjusted p < 0.05), with 51 remaining significant under stringent criteria (adjusted p < 0.001, |log2FC| > 0.5). Among these, eight key genes were closely associated with the regulation of apoptosis and autophagy, including seven downregulated (Egr1, Atf3, Tgm2, Lgals1, Nr4a1, Plekhf1, Nupr1) and one upregulated (Trim39). This transcriptomic analysis following HIIT also modulated circadian rhythm, long-term memory processes, and hypoxia response in the hypertensive brain. These findings indicate that HIIT decreases apoptosis and autophagy and improves circadian rhythm, long-term memory, and hypoxia in hypertensive rats’ brains.