Moderate intensity continuous training mitigates hypertension-induced renal fibrosis by inhibiting HIF-1α-mediated autophagy

Introduction: Hypertension is a significant risk factor for kidney disease. Aerobic exercise has demonstrated positive effects in managing hypertensive nephropathy. However, the impact of exercise on hypertensive nephropathy remains contentious due to variations in exercise protocols. This study aim...

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Main Authors: Yun Li, Xinyu Yang, Zhuo Chen, Wenyu Dong, Xinhua Chen, Wenhao Wang, Lingang Li, Wenjun Ma, Qing Chang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Physiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1529811/full
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author Yun Li
Xinyu Yang
Zhuo Chen
Wenyu Dong
Xinhua Chen
Wenhao Wang
Lingang Li
Wenjun Ma
Qing Chang
author_facet Yun Li
Xinyu Yang
Zhuo Chen
Wenyu Dong
Xinhua Chen
Wenhao Wang
Lingang Li
Wenjun Ma
Qing Chang
author_sort Yun Li
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Hypertension is a significant risk factor for kidney disease. Aerobic exercise has demonstrated positive effects in managing hypertensive nephropathy. However, the impact of exercise on hypertensive nephropathy remains contentious due to variations in exercise protocols. This study aimed to compare the effects of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on renal fibrosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).Methods: SHRs underwent a 10-week treadmill training with moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). The blood pressure in rats was measured following the conclusion of the final exercise training session. The renal function, levels of HIF-1α, fibrosis, and autophagy were evaluated by immunostaining and western blot in rat kidneys. The AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was also investigated. In vitro, we also treated angiotensin II-induced HK-2 cells with inhibited or overexpressed HIF-1α and tested the changes in fibrosis and autophagy by immunostaining and western blot. Following treatment with lysosomal inhibitors (chloroquine), the expression of fibrosis was further investigated.Results: Our findings indicated that MICT improved renal function and inhibited fibrosis through downregulation of HIF-1α and autophagy, whereas HIIT did not lead to significant improvement. Additionally, inhibition of HIF-1α attenuates Ang II-induced fibrosis and autophagy in HK-2 cells. HIF-1α overexpression had the opposite effect. CQ further alleviates fibrosis.Conclusion: These findings had elucidated the potential of MICT to ameliorate renal fibrosis caused by hypertension by targeting HIF-1α-regulated autophagy.
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spelling doaj-art-9a60400e9f4b43bfabb342f9b9c88d802025-08-20T01:49:42ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physiology1664-042X2025-03-011610.3389/fphys.2025.15298111529811Moderate intensity continuous training mitigates hypertension-induced renal fibrosis by inhibiting HIF-1α-mediated autophagyYun Li0Xinyu Yang1Zhuo Chen2Wenyu Dong3Xinhua Chen4Wenhao Wang5Lingang Li6Wenjun Ma7Qing Chang8The Affiliated Rehabilitation Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, ChinaDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, ChinaThe Affiliated Rehabilitation Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, ChinaThe Affiliated Rehabilitation Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, ChinaThe Affiliated Rehabilitation Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, ChinaThe Affiliated Rehabilitation Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, ChinaThe Affiliated Rehabilitation Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, ChinaThe College of Exercise Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, ChinaIntroduction: Hypertension is a significant risk factor for kidney disease. Aerobic exercise has demonstrated positive effects in managing hypertensive nephropathy. However, the impact of exercise on hypertensive nephropathy remains contentious due to variations in exercise protocols. This study aimed to compare the effects of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on renal fibrosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).Methods: SHRs underwent a 10-week treadmill training with moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). The blood pressure in rats was measured following the conclusion of the final exercise training session. The renal function, levels of HIF-1α, fibrosis, and autophagy were evaluated by immunostaining and western blot in rat kidneys. The AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was also investigated. In vitro, we also treated angiotensin II-induced HK-2 cells with inhibited or overexpressed HIF-1α and tested the changes in fibrosis and autophagy by immunostaining and western blot. Following treatment with lysosomal inhibitors (chloroquine), the expression of fibrosis was further investigated.Results: Our findings indicated that MICT improved renal function and inhibited fibrosis through downregulation of HIF-1α and autophagy, whereas HIIT did not lead to significant improvement. Additionally, inhibition of HIF-1α attenuates Ang II-induced fibrosis and autophagy in HK-2 cells. HIF-1α overexpression had the opposite effect. CQ further alleviates fibrosis.Conclusion: These findings had elucidated the potential of MICT to ameliorate renal fibrosis caused by hypertension by targeting HIF-1α-regulated autophagy.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1529811/fullmoderate intensity continuous trainingHIF-1αautophagyhypertensive renal fibrosishigh-intensity interval training
spellingShingle Yun Li
Xinyu Yang
Zhuo Chen
Wenyu Dong
Xinhua Chen
Wenhao Wang
Lingang Li
Wenjun Ma
Qing Chang
Moderate intensity continuous training mitigates hypertension-induced renal fibrosis by inhibiting HIF-1α-mediated autophagy
Frontiers in Physiology
moderate intensity continuous training
HIF-1α
autophagy
hypertensive renal fibrosis
high-intensity interval training
title Moderate intensity continuous training mitigates hypertension-induced renal fibrosis by inhibiting HIF-1α-mediated autophagy
title_full Moderate intensity continuous training mitigates hypertension-induced renal fibrosis by inhibiting HIF-1α-mediated autophagy
title_fullStr Moderate intensity continuous training mitigates hypertension-induced renal fibrosis by inhibiting HIF-1α-mediated autophagy
title_full_unstemmed Moderate intensity continuous training mitigates hypertension-induced renal fibrosis by inhibiting HIF-1α-mediated autophagy
title_short Moderate intensity continuous training mitigates hypertension-induced renal fibrosis by inhibiting HIF-1α-mediated autophagy
title_sort moderate intensity continuous training mitigates hypertension induced renal fibrosis by inhibiting hif 1α mediated autophagy
topic moderate intensity continuous training
HIF-1α
autophagy
hypertensive renal fibrosis
high-intensity interval training
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1529811/full
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