OBJECTIVETo study the molecular mechanism of exercise to improve cardiovascular health, and exploring the effect of different intensity exercise on AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) protein expression and phosphorylation of vascular endothelial cells in rat.

METHODSForty-eight Wistar rats were divided into control group (group C), model group (group AS), low intensity exercise model group (ASL) and high intensity exercise model group (ASH). The serum inflammatory factor concentrations such as IL-6, TNF-alpha, CRP were studied, and the endothelial cell total AMPK and p-AMPK protein were checked by means of Western blot.

RESULTS(1) The level of IL-6 between AS group and control group had no significant difference, the value of ASH group was markedly increased and had significant difference compared with that of the control group or AS group. The serum TNF-alpha levels of AS group and ASL group were significantly higher than those in control group, but the value of ASH and ASL was significantly lower than that in AS group. The serum concentration of CRP after the AS molding was significantly higher than that of the control group, there was no statistical difference between that of ASL and ASH groups. (2) The total AMPK protein content of ASL and ASH groups was significantly higher than that in control group. When compared between the two groups, there was statistical significance. (3) The value of p-AMPK protein of ASL and ASH groups was significantly higher than that of AS group, the value of p-AMPK protein of ASH group was significantly higher than that of the control group at the same time.

CONCLUSIONExercise can reduce the serum levels of inflammatory factors in atherosclerosis rat, and increase AMPK protein expression and phosphorylation level in endothelial cell.