Abstract: Objective: To explore the effects of intermittent and aerobic exercise on apoptosis and NF-κBp65 expression in cardiomyocyte of rats and the role of NF-κBp65 in apoptosis. Methods: Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into a control group, an aerobic group and an intermittent group, with ten in each group. The rats in the control group did not do any exercise, and the rats in the intermittent and aerobic exercise groups were subjected to 8-week intermittent and aerobic treadmill exercises respectively. After the training, their cardiac structures were observed by scarlet staining, the electrocardiogram and hemodynamic indicators were used to detect cardiac functions, and the expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, p53 and NF-κBp65 were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: Compared with control group, the heart coefficient, T wave voltage, LVSP and ±dp/dtmax increased significantly, LVEDP and
heart rate decreased significantly, the MOD of the Bcl-2 significantly increased, and the MOD of Bax, p53, NF-κBp65 decreased
significantly, the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax increased significantly of the rats in the intermittent and aerobic exercise groups. Conclusion:
Both intermittent exercise and aerobic exercise can significantly inhibit the apoptosis of rat cardiomyocytes by up-regulating the
expression of Bcl-2, down-regulating the expression of Bax and p53 and enhancing the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, thus improving the cardiac
function. Besides, the effect of intermittent exercise was better than that of aerobic exercise. Intermittent and aerobic exercises may upregulate Bcl-2 expression, down-regulate p53 expression, and inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis by reducing NF-κB activity.

Key words: intermittent exercise, aerobic exercise, NF-κB, apoptosis