University of Guilan Metabolism and Exercise 2322-2867 Articles in Press 2026 06 08 The Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Galectin-3 and sST2 Levels in Rats with Diabetic Cardiomyopathy The Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Galectin-3 and sST2 Levels in Rats with Diabetic Cardiomyopathy 9689 10.22124/jme.2026.33247.448 FA Hadi Golpasandi Postdoctoral Researcher in exercise Physiology, Department of exercise Physiology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran. Mohammad Rahman Rahimi Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran. Mohammad Farhangian Department of Sports Sciences, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran. Mohammad Bagher Mavaeian Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran. Fatemeh Rohi Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran. Journal Article 2026 04 12 Objective: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide and is associated with cardiovascular complications, including diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and sST2 are considered biomarkers of cardiac fibrosis and stress. This study aimed to investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on the levels of these biomarkers in rats with DCM.<br />Methodology: The present experimental study was conducted using a post-test design. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: healthy control (HC, n=8), diabetic control (DC, n=8), diabetic+MICT (n=8), and diabetic+HIIT (n=8). Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) injection. An 8-week training protocol (5 sessions per week) was implemented. Serum levels of Gal-3 and sST2 were measured using ELISA. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05).<br />Results: Diabetes induction significantly increased glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, Gal-3, and sST2 levels in the DC group compared to the HC group (p<0.001). After 8 weeks of training, the D+HIIT and D+MICT groups showed significant reductions in Gal-3 levels (38.1% and 33.5%, respectively) and sST2 levels (52% and 41.1%, respectively) compared to the DC group (p<0.001). Additionally, the HIIT group showed a greater reduction in sST2 compared to the MICT group (p<0.001).<br />Conclusion: Both HIIT and MICT reduced Gal-3 and sST2 levels in diabetic rats. HIIT demonstrated a relative superiority in reducing sST2 and can be recommended as an effective approach for managing DCM. Objective: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide and is associated with cardiovascular complications, including diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and sST2 are considered biomarkers of cardiac fibrosis and stress. This study aimed to investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on the levels of these biomarkers in rats with DCM.<br />Methodology: The present experimental study was conducted using a post-test design. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: healthy control (HC, n=8), diabetic control (DC, n=8), diabetic+MICT (n=8), and diabetic+HIIT (n=8). Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) injection. An 8-week training protocol (5 sessions per week) was implemented. Serum levels of Gal-3 and sST2 were measured using ELISA. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05).<br />Results: Diabetes induction significantly increased glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, Gal-3, and sST2 levels in the DC group compared to the HC group (p<0.001). After 8 weeks of training, the D+HIIT and D+MICT groups showed significant reductions in Gal-3 levels (38.1% and 33.5%, respectively) and sST2 levels (52% and 41.1%, respectively) compared to the DC group (p<0.001). Additionally, the HIIT group showed a greater reduction in sST2 compared to the MICT group (p<0.001).<br />Conclusion: Both HIIT and MICT reduced Gal-3 and sST2 levels in diabetic rats. HIIT demonstrated a relative superiority in reducing sST2 and can be recommended as an effective approach for managing DCM.