Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk
Journal of Eexercise & Organ Cross Talk

High-intensity interval training modulates thrombotic susceptibility in metabolic syndrome: Attenuation of plasma PAI-1 and fibrinogen via ameliorated metabolic dysfunction

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Niyousha Ghazbani 1
Arezoo Razmdideh 2
Amin Alimohammadi 1
Danial Bagherzadeh 1
Ehsan Rezaee Moeini 3
Mohammad Reza Mozaffari 4
Mohammad Sadra Roshani Koosha 5

1 Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Literature, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

3 Department of Exercise Physiology, Sport Sciences Research Institute, Tehran, Iran.

4 Department of Exercise Physiology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

5 Department of Physical Education, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22122/jeoct.2025.528002.1158
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) elevates thrombotic risk through dysregulated coagulation factors, including plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and fibrinogen, driven by visceral adiposity and metabolic dysfunction. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) improves cardiometabolic health, but its effects on hemostatic markers in MetS remain underexplored. Twenty-four men with MetS (ATP-III criteria; age 44.4 ± 5.4 years, BMI 31.7 ± 2.3 kg·m⁻²) were randomized to HIIT (n=12) or control (n=12). HIIT comprised 3 sessions/week for 8 weeks (4 × 4-min intervals at 90% HRmax, interspersed with 3-min active recovery at 70% HRmax). Fasting plasma PAI-1, fibrinogen, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), body composition, and lipid profiles were assessed pre/post-intervention. HIIT significantly reduced PAI-1 (−30.7%, p<0.001) and fibrinogen (−21.8%, p<0.001) versus controls. Concurrent improvements occurred in HOMA-IR (−20.6%, p<0.001), body fat (−3.8%, p<0.05), systolic/diastolic BP (−7.5%/−5.2%, p<0.05), LDL-c (−5.6%), triglycerides (−9.4%), and HDL-c (+3.0%; all p<0.05). Control group exhibited no significant changes. HIIT attenuates prothrombotic risk in MetS, evidenced by reductions in PAI-1 and fibrinogen. These hemostatic improvements are mechanistically linked to ameliorated metabolic dysfunction, highlighting HIIT’s role in modulating adipose tissue–vascular cross talk.

What is already known on this subject?

Dysregulated adipokine production, particularly from hypertrophied VAT, establishes a chronic pro-inflammatory milieu and ectopic lipid deposition, driving insulin resistance (IR) and endothelial dysfunction.  

 

What this study adds?

The HIIT can serve as an effective training method for modulating risk factors in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Keywords

High-intensity interval training
Metabolic syndrome
PAI-1
Fibrinogen
Thrombotic risk
Hemostasis
Insulin resistance
Visceral adiposity
Exercise prescription

Subjects

Acknowledgements

None.

Funding

No sources of funding were sought or awarded for this study.

Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Compliance with ethical standards

Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval The institutional review board approved all procedures (Protocol #JEOCT-2506-1158), and written informed consent was obtained prior to participation. The study conformed to the Declaration of Helsinki and was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov.

Informed consent Participants signed an informed consent form prior to participation in the study

Author contributions

Conceptualization: N.Gh., A.R.; Methodology: A.A., D.B.; Software: E.R.M., M.R.M.; Validation: MS.RK., A.A. Formal analysisS.RK.; Investigation: N.Gh.; Resources: A.A.; Data curation: A.R.; Writing - original draft: A.R.; Writing–review &  editing: E.R.M.; Visualization: D.B.; Supervision: A.R.; Project administration: A.R.; Funding acquisition: A.R.

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Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk
Volume 5, Issue 1
Winter 2025
Pages 19-25

  • Receive Date 02 January 2025
  • Revise Date 04 March 2025
  • Accept Date 07 March 2025

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