[Objectives]To explore the effects of high-intensity intermittent training(HIIT)on the degree of depression,neuronal morphology,and the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)in the hippocampal dentate gyrus(DG)of ischemic hemisphere in rats with post-stroke depression(PSD),and to investigate the potential mechanisms.[Methods]40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group,sham-operation group(Sham),PSD model group,moderate intensity aerobic training group(MIAT)and HIIT group(n=8 for each group).Except the control and Sham group,all other groups were given the middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)using the intraluminal thread method,and chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)was applied.After successful modeling,training programs of different intensity were performed in the MIAT and the HIIT group.Rats in the five groups were subjected to behavioral tests(open field test and tail suspension test)before and 28 d after training.Nissl staining was used to observe the morphological changes of neurons in the left hippocampal DG area.The expressions of BDNF protein were detected by western blotting and immunohistochemistry.[Results]After 28 d of training,compared with the other groups,the PSD group's pause time of the central lattice was prolonged;the immobility time increased in tail suspension test;the expression of BDNF decreased in the left hippocampal DG area.The difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).Neurons of hippocampal DG neurons were loosely arranged;cells were missing.Nissl body was lightly stained and even dissolved;the ethological findings in MIAT and HIIT rats were reversed;the expression of BDNF was elevated.Nissl staining showed that the cells were arranged neatly;the layers were dense,and the Nissl body was deeply stained.The changes in HIIT group were more significant than that in MIAT group(P<0.05).[Conclusions]Compared with the traditional medium-intensity aerobic training,high-intensity interval training can improve the depression-like behavior in rats with post-stroke depression.The potential mechanism might be that HIIT increase the neuroplasticity and expression of BDNF in hippocampal DG area.
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