模拟海拔5 500 m低压低氧环境对大鼠HPT轴和肠道菌群的影响*

目的: 探究模拟海拔5 500 m低压低氧环境对大鼠下丘脑-垂体-甲状腺(HPT)轴和肠道菌群的影响及两者间关联。方法: 采用低压低氧舱模拟海拔5 500 m高度,构建成年雄性SD大鼠低氧模型,设置1、3、7、14、21和28 d低氧组和常氧组,并设置1 d和3 d低氧后常氧恢复组(每组大鼠8只,低氧时间为每天24 h)。记录大鼠每日体重和平均摄食量,采用16 s rDNA测序分析肠道菌群、ELISA检测血清HPT轴激素水平,进行肠道菌群与HPT轴激素相关性分析。结果: 与常氧组相比,低氧组大鼠体重和摄食量显著降低(P＜0.01)。1 d、3 d低氧组大鼠血清促甲状腺素释放激素(TRH)和促甲状腺激素(TSH)水平较常氧组显著降低(P＜0.05),血清总甲状腺素(TT4)、总三碘甲状腺原氨酸(TT3)、游离甲状腺素(FT4)和游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3)水平较常氧组显著增加(P＜0.05)。1和3 d低氧组大鼠肠道副拟杆菌属(Parabacteroides)、乳酸杆菌属(Lactobacillus)、丁酸球菌属(Butyricimonas)、拟杆菌属(Bacteroides)、臭味杆菌属(Odoribacter)和RC4-4菌属丰度较常氧组显著增加(P＜0.05),普氏菌属(Prevotella)丰度较常氧组显著降低(P＜0.05)。14、21和28 d低氧组大鼠副拟杆菌属、球毛菌属(Sphaerochaeta)、阿克曼氏菌属(Akkermansia)、迷踪菌属(Elusimicrobium)丰度较常氧组显著增加(P＜0.05),乳酸杆菌属、萨特氏菌属(Sutterella)丰度较常氧组显著降低(P＜0.05)。肠道菌群与HPT轴激素相关性分析表明,丁酸球菌属、迷踪菌属、萨特氏菌属与TRH、TSH显著负相关(P＜0.05),普氏菌属、拟杆菌属、臭味杆菌属、副拟杆菌属分别与TSH、TT4、TT3、FT4显著相关(P＜0.05),乳酸杆菌属与TRH、 TSH、FT4显著相关(P＜0.05),阿克曼氏菌属与TRH、FT4显著相关(P＜ 0.05),RC4-4菌属与TSH、TT3显著相关(P＜0.05)。结论: 模拟海拔5 500 m低氧应激显著改变SD大鼠肠道菌群的构成,这可能是甲状腺功能与低氧环境相适应的变化,变化程度与低氧应激时间有关;低氧环境下大鼠肠道菌群的变化与HPT轴激素水平显著相关。     

模拟高原低氧环境对小鼠脾脏铁代谢的影响*

目的:探讨模拟海拔6 000 m高原低氧环境对小鼠脾脏铁代谢的影响。方法:将C57BL/6小鼠按体重随机分为常压常氧组(Nor)和低压低氧组(HH)。HH组小鼠放置于低压低氧动物实验舱内,模拟急性海拔6 000 m高原低氧环境,控制光照时间比大约12 h∶12 h。Nor组置于同等条件的常压常氧环境。HH组又分为低氧12 h组(HH-12 h)和3 d组(HH-3 d),对照组对应分为(Nor-12 h及Nor-3 d),每组9只小鼠。采用血常规检测、HE染色、组织铁染色、蛋白质免疫印迹(WB)、免疫组织化学(IHC)综合评价模拟高原低氧环境下小鼠脾脏铁代谢情况。结果:与相同时间点Nor组相比:①HH-12 h组小鼠红细胞数(RBC)、血红蛋白量(HGB)、红细胞压积(HCT)均无明显变化。HH-3 d组RBC、HGB及HCT均显著增加(P＜0.05),平均血红蛋白量(MCH)在HH-12 h和HH-3 d组均无显著变化。②与Nor-3 d相比,HH-3 d组小鼠脾脏明显增大,HE染色显示脾窦变窄,铁染色结果显示HH-3 d组脾脏红髓中铁含量明显增加。③WB结果显示,HH-3 d组低氧诱导因子1α(HIF-1α),转铁蛋白受体1(TfR1),铁输出蛋白(Fpn)表达均显著增加,而铁蛋白(Ft-L)的表达显著降低(P＜0.05);IHC结果也与WB结果一致,高原低氧暴露3 d后脾脏红髓TfR1、Fpn表达和分布均明显增多,Ft-L表达分布明显减少。结论:模拟海拔6 000 m高原低氧暴露3 d后小鼠脾脏截留处理RBC增多,脾索铁沉积,脾脏组织细胞内铁动员加速。高原低氧下脾脏铁代谢异常可能是引起高原低氧暴露下红细胞病理性增多甚至造成高原红细胞增多症的主要原因。     

低氧促进肺腺癌A549细胞迁移的机制*

目的: 探讨低氧促进肺腺癌A549细胞迁移的机制。方法: 培养肺腺癌A549细胞,转染慢病毒获得稳定敲低ACC1的A549细胞株,转染si-RNA获得敲低SREBP-1的A549细胞。分别以低氧(5％ O₂)联合低氧诱导因子1α(HIF-1α)抑制剂PX-478(25 μmol)处理A549细胞,低氧联合亚油酸(LA)(20 μmol)处理敲低ACC1的A549细胞,低氧处理敲低胆固醇调节原件结合蛋白1(SREBP-1)的A549细胞。Transwell实验检测细胞迁移,蛋白质印迹法检测HIF-1α、ACC1及上皮-间质转化(EMT)相关波形蛋白(Vimentin)及E-钙黏蛋白(E-Cadherin)的表达与SREBP-1的表达,实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(RT-qPCR)检测低氧联合HIF-1α抑制剂PX-478(25 μmol)处理A549细胞后ACC1及SREBP-1 mRNA水平变化。每项实验重复三次。结果: 与常氧组相比,低氧组A549细胞迁移数增加,ACC1与HIF-1α表达上调(P均＜0.01),SREBP-1表达上调(P＜0.05);与低氧对照组相比,PX-478(25 μmol)抑制A549细胞迁移,SREBP-1表达下调(P＜0.05);低氧处理A549细胞后ACC1 mRNA上升(P＜0.05),SREBP-1 mRNA水平上升(P＜0.01);低氧并使用PX-478(25 μmol)处理A549细胞24 h,ACC1 mRNA水平下降(P＜0.05),SREBP-1 mRNA 水平下降(P＜0.01);转染si-RNA获得敲低SREBP-1的A549细胞,Transwell 实验显示si-SREBP-1组细胞迁移数较常氧对照组减少(P＜0.01);低氧处理si-SREBP-1组与si-NC组,与对照组相比si-SREBP-1组细胞迁移数减少(P＜0.01)但与常氧组相比差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);Western blot检测到si-SREBP-1组ACC1表达较对照组下降(P＜0.01);低氧处理si-SREBP-1组,ACC1表达较对照组下降(P＜0.01);敲低ACC1抑制A549细胞迁移(P＜0.05),敲低ACC1后A549细胞在常氧和5％ O₂条件下细胞迁移数目差异无统计学意义(P＞ 0.05);低氧处理敲低ACC1的A549细胞并给予LA(25 μmol)促进A549细胞迁移(P＜0.05)。结论: 低氧通过HIF-1α/SREBP-1/ACC1途径调节脂肪酸代谢进而促进肺腺癌A549细胞迁移。     

低氧联合LPS刺激对星形胶质细胞中炎性因子和BNIP3表达的影响*

目的:探讨在低氧联合脂多糖(LPS)作用下,星形胶质细胞中B淋巴细胞瘤-2/腺病毒E1B 19-kD相互作用蛋白3(BNIP3)的表达和炎症反应变化。方法:将体外培养的原代星形胶质细胞和神经元进行下列分组:常氧组、LPS组、低氧组和LPS+低氧组(每组设置3个复孔)。LPS处理后,低氧组和LPS+低氧组放入低氧细胞孵箱,LPS组和常氧组放入正常的细胞孵箱。LPS浓度:100 ng/ml,氧气浓度为0.3%。处理时间为24 h。原代的星形胶质细胞进行上述的分组,时间点设为6 h、12 h和24 h。Western blot检测BNIP3的表达变化,RT-PCR和ELISA分别检测星形胶质细胞的肿瘤坏死因子-ɑ(TNF-ɑ)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)和白细胞介素6(IL-6)mRNA水平变化和分泌情况。结果:与常氧组比较,低氧组炎症因子的表达没有变化,LPS组和LPS＋低氧组的炎症因子TNF-ɑ、IL-1β和IL-6 mRNA水平升高(P＜0.01);与LPS组比较,LPS＋低氧组炎症因子IL-1β和IL-6 mRNA水平进一步升高(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)。与常氧组比较,低氧组炎症因子的分泌水平没有变化,LPS组和LPS＋低氧组的炎症因子TNF-ɑ和IL-6 分泌水平升高(P＜0.01),IL-1β的水平没有变化;与LPS组比较,LPS＋低氧组炎症因子TNF-ɑ和IL-6分泌水平没有进一步升高。BNIP3在体外培养的神经元和星型胶质细胞中都有表达;在星形胶质细胞中,与常氧组比较,LPS组BNIP3的表达没有变化,低氧组和LPS+低氧组BNIP3的表达明显增加(P＜0.01);在神经元中,与常氧组比较,LPS组BNIP3的表达没有变化,低氧组和LPS+低氧组BNIP3的表达增加(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);与神经元的低氧组比较,星形胶质细胞的低氧组BNIP3的表达增加更明显(P＜0.01)。在星形胶质细胞中LPS联合低氧刺激6、12、24 h后BNIP3蛋白的表达,与常氧组相同时间点比较,LPS组BNIP3的表达没有变化,低氧组和LPS+低氧组BNIP3的表达增加(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);与低氧组相同时间点比较,6 h和12 h的LPS＋低氧组BNIP3的表达增加的更高(P＜0.01)。结论:低氧联合LPS刺激可以增强星形胶质细胞的炎症反应,LPS能增加低氧下星形胶质细胞中BNIP3的表达,提示BNIP3在星形胶质细胞的炎性反应中可能具有一定的调节作用。     

间歇低氧对大鼠骨骼肌IGF-1和myostatin基因表达的影响

目的:旨在探讨低氧对骨骼肌胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)和肌肉生长抑制素(myostatin)表达的影响。方法:SD大鼠分为常氧对照组(C)、低氧暴露组(HO)、复氧1周组(H1)。于氧浓度13.6%的低氧舱内进行间歇性低氧暴露。采用RT-PCR方法测定腓肠肌myostatin mRNA和IGF-1 mRNA的表达。结果:与常氧对照组比,低氧暴露组骨骼肌IGF-1 mRNA表达显著下降,myostatin mRNA表达显著上升;与低氧暴露组比,复氧1周组骨骼肌IGF-1mRNA表达显著上升,myostatin mRNA表达显著下降。结论:低氧暴露后骨骼肌myostatin mRNA和IGF-1mRNA表达发生反向变化,提示二者可能以相反的作用共同参与低氧对肌肉生长的调控。     

消痰化瘀利窍方对慢性间歇性低氧小鼠认知障碍的改善作用*

目的: 探讨消痰化瘀利窍方对慢性间歇性低氧小鼠认知障碍的改善作用。方法: 48只雄性C57小鼠随机分为4组(n=12),常氧对照组(Normoxia),慢性间歇性低氧组(CIH)、慢性间歇性低氧中药干预组(Formula+CIH)、中药对照组(Formula)。Normoxia和Formula组暴露于常氧环境,CIH与Formula+CIH组暴露于间歇性低氧环境(低氧舱中前1.5 min充入氮气使舱内氧浓度降至9%,后1.5 min充入氧气使氧浓度恢复至21%,3 min/循环,每天上舱8 h,共35 d)。其中,Formula +CIH与Formula组于每日灌胃中药水煎液灌胃(26.8 g/kg),同时CIH组与Normoxia组灌胃给予同体积生理盐水。实验在26～35 d连续应用水迷宫观测各组小鼠的学习和记忆能力,35 d造模结束后,首先进行Y-迷宫实验,麻醉后断头取脑,分离海马组织。应用尼氏染色和电镜观察海马神经元的形态学改变,通过Western blot检测海马神经元synapsin和PSD-95的表达水平。结果: 与Normoxia组相比,CIH组小鼠水迷宫和Y-迷宫的成绩显著下降(P＜0.01,P＜0.01),海马神经元尼氏小体的数量和突触后致密物质的厚度均减少,PSD-95蛋白表达下调(P＜0.01),而synapsin表达无明显改变。与CIH组小鼠比较,消痰化瘀利窍方干预可显著提高小鼠水迷宫和Y-迷宫的成绩(P＜0.01),增加海马神经元尼氏小体的数量和突触后致密物质的厚度,上调PSD-95蛋白表达水平(P＜0.01)。结论: 消痰化瘀利窍方可改善由CIH诱导的突触后致密区的结构和功能受损,进而对认知功能障碍起到保护作用。     

生命早期PM2.5暴露对子代雄性大鼠前额皮层的影响*

目的: 探究生命早期不同阶段PM_2.5暴露对子代大鼠前额皮层的影响。方法: 将12只受孕后的SD孕鼠按体重随机分为对照组(CG)、母亲孕期暴露组(MG)、出生早期暴露组(EP)和全围产期暴露组(PP),每组3只。进行孕鼠与子鼠的清洁空气或8倍浓缩PM_2.5的暴露,其中CG组全程不暴露,MG组从妊娠第1日(GD1)暴露到GD21,EP组从出生第1日(PND1)暴露到PND21,PP组从GD1一直暴露到PND21。暴露完成后,取各组6只子代大鼠的前额皮层,采用HE染色进行病理学检测;酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)进行神经炎性因子检测;高效液相色谱-质谱分析进行神经递质检测;免疫印迹实验(Western blot)进行星形胶质细胞标志物检测;比色法进行脑组织氧化应激检测。结果: 与MG组和CG组子鼠比较,PP组和EP组子鼠前额皮层的病理学变化更加明显。与MG组和CG组子鼠比较,PP组和EP组大鼠的神经炎性因子IL-1、IL-6和TNF-α均显著增加(P＜0.01),且MT水平显著减少(P＜0.05),OT水平呈现下降趋势;神经递质Ach水平也显著增加(P＜0.01)。与MG组和CG组子鼠比较,PP组和EP组子鼠的GFAP水平呈升高趋势。与MG组和CG组子鼠比较,PP组和EP组子鼠的氧化应激指标SOD水平显著减少(P＜0.01),ROS水平显著增加(P＜0.01)。与CG组子鼠比较PP组子鼠的CAT水平显著减少(P＜ 0.01),与MG组子鼠比较PP组子鼠的CAT水平显著减少(P＜0.05);与CG组子鼠比较EP组子鼠的CAT水平显著减少(P＜0.05)。尚未发现PP组子鼠与EP组子鼠之间、MG组子鼠与CG组子鼠之间在IL-1、IL-6、TNF-α、MT、OT、Ach、GFAP、SOD、ROS和CAT水平存在差异。结论: 生命早期PM_2.5暴露可对子代雄性大鼠前额皮层产生不良影响,出生早期暴露可能更为敏感。     

黄芩苷通过增强抗氧化和抑制细胞凋亡减轻哮喘小鼠雄性生殖损伤

生殖健康是人口与健康领域的重要议题。作为全球最常见的呼吸道疾病哮喘会影响男性生殖功能,但相关机制鲜有报道。本文研究了黄酮类化合物黄芩苷(baicalin,BA)对哮喘小鼠睾丸损伤的干预作用及相关机制。选择雄性BALB/c小鼠随机分为对照组(CK组)、卵清蛋白(ovalbumin,OVA)致敏的哮喘组(OVA组)和黄芩苷干预哮喘组(OVA+BA组)。结果发现,3组小鼠体重无明显差异。OVA组小鼠睾丸系数和精子数量显著降低(P < 0.05),精子畸形率显著增加(P < 0.05);黄芩苷干预组小鼠睾丸系数显著增加(P < 0.05),精子畸形率显著降低(P < 0.05)。HE染色观察到OVA组小鼠睾丸组织生精小管结构损伤,精子发生异常,生精细胞减少,Johnson得分显著降低;BA干预组生精小管直径及生精上皮细胞高度显著增加,生精小管基膜结构较完整,Johnson得分显著提高(P < 0.05);试剂盒法检测氧化还原指标发现,OVA组睾丸组织过氧化氢(H₂O₂)和丙二醛(MDA)含量显著增加(P < 0.05),总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活性和谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量显著降低(P < 0.05);OVA+BA组睾丸组织H₂O₂和MDA含量显著降低(P < 0.05),T-SOD活性显著增加(P < 0.05);实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测发现,OVA组睾丸组织中促凋亡基因p53、Casp-3转录上调,抗凋亡基因Bcl2转录显著下调,胱天蛋白酶3(caspase-3)活性显著增加(P < 0.05);OVA+BA组p53和Casp-3转录下调,Bcl2转录上调,胱天蛋白酶3活性显著降低(P < 0.05)。结果表明,哮喘小鼠睾丸组织发生了氧化应激和结构损伤,细胞凋亡途径被激活,BA干预可有效减轻哮喘小鼠睾丸组织的氧化胁迫,抑制凋亡通路,保护睾丸组织的功能和结构。结果提示,黄芩苷能缓解哮喘小鼠的生殖毒性,该效应与机体抗氧化能力提高、细胞凋亡途径抑制有关。     

运动对胰岛素抵抗大鼠肝脏BIM信号通路的影响*

目的: 探究运动干预对肥胖诱导的胰岛素抵抗大鼠肝脏BIM-JNK1-IRS1-Akt信号通路的影响。方法: 40只雄性SD大鼠随机分4组(n=10):对照组(普通膳食喂养16周);高脂膳食安静组(高脂膳食喂养16周);慢性运动组(高脂膳食喂养16周且后8周进行慢性运动干预,5%体重负重的游泳运动,1 h/d,5天/周)和急性运动组(高脂膳食喂养16周后进行同样5%体重负重的6 h急性运动干预,分两个3 h进行,中间间隔休息45 min)。干预结束后,所有大鼠称重后进行口服糖耐量和胰岛素释放实验,分别使用罗氏血糖仪和大鼠胰岛素ELISA试剂盒测定血糖含量和血清胰岛素含量,以胰岛素敏感性指数衡量胰岛素抵抗状态。Western blot方法检测肝脏Bcl-2细胞死亡调节因子(BIM),磷酸化c-Jun氨基末端激酶1(p-JNK1), 磷酸化胰岛素受体底物1(p-IRS1)和磷酸化蛋白激酶B(p-Akt)蛋白水平。结果: 与对照组大鼠相比,高脂膳食安静组大鼠体重和内脏脂肪质量显著增加(P＜0.01),胰岛素敏感性指数显著下降((P＜0.01);肝脏中BIM蛋白水平显著增加(P＜0.01),JNK1和IRS1磷酸化水平显著增加(P＜0.01),Akt磷酸化水平显著下降(P＜0.01)。与高脂膳食安静组相比,慢性运动组大鼠体重和内脏脂肪质量显著降低(P＜0.01),急性运动组大鼠体重和内脏脂肪质量无明显变化。与高脂膳食安静组相比,慢性运动组和急性运动组大鼠的胰岛素敏感性指数显著提高(P＜0.05),肝脏中BIM蛋白水平显著减少(P＜0.01),JNK1和IRS1磷酸化水平显著降低(P＜0.01),Akt磷酸化水平显著增加(P＜0.01)。结论: 慢性运动降低大鼠体重和内脏脂肪质量,急性运动并不影响大鼠体重和内脏脂肪质量,但两种运动方式都可以改善肥胖诱导的胰岛素抵抗,这可能与大鼠肝脏中BIM调节的JNK1-IRS1-Akt信号通路的改变有关。     

二甲双胍和西格列汀对胰岛素抵抗糖尿病前期KKAy小鼠胰岛β细胞功能的影响*

目的:探讨二甲双胍和西格列汀对胰岛素抵抗糖尿病前期KKAy小鼠胰岛β细胞功能的影响及其机制。方法:将30只6周龄KKAy小鼠随机分为普通饲料喂养组(C组,n=10)及高脂饲料喂养组(n=20),8周龄时将高脂饮食喂养的KKAy小鼠随机分为两组:二甲双胍干预组(Met组,n=10)和西格列汀干预组(SP组,n=10),持续灌胃8周。用口服糖耐量实验(OGTT)检测葡萄糖水平。检测空腹血清胰岛素及血浆脂质水平,计算胰岛素释放指数(HOMA-β)及胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)。留取KKAy小鼠胰腺,连续切片分别胰岛素、胰高血糖素免疫荧光染色,ki67/INS双标记分析β细胞增殖情况、凋亡情况。Western blot方法测定胰腺转录因子PDX-1和MafA蛋白表达情况。结果:① OGTT结果提示,与C组比较,Met和SP组KKAy小鼠的空腹血糖、口服葡萄糖后30、60及120 min的血糖均显著降低(P均＜0.01),血糖时间曲线下面积(AUC)显著降低(P＜0.01,P＜0.01)。与Met组比较,SP组口服葡萄糖后30及60 min的血糖无明显统计学差异,120 min的血糖显著降低(P＜0.05),两组AUC无统计学差异。② 胰岛素耐量试验(ITT)结果提示,与C比较,Met和SP组KKAy小鼠的空腹血糖、注射胰岛素后30、60及90 min的血糖显著减低,ITT血糖曲线下面积(AUC)显著升高(P＜0.01),而Met和SP组之间比较无明显统计学差异。③ C组胰岛中β细胞区域亮度较低,边缘散乱,给予二甲双胍后,β细胞区域及亮度有所增加;给予西格列汀治疗后,β细胞区域及亮度显著增加。C组胰岛中,α细胞在胰岛中分布无序,亮度较大。给予二甲双胍后,α细胞区域有所减少,亮度有所降低,一定程度向胰岛边缘的分布;给予西格列汀后,α细胞区域明显减少,亮度显著降低,在胰岛边缘分布。④ 与C组比较,Met组和SP组胰腺MafA表达水平明显升高,分别为1.63倍,1.58倍(P＜0.01,P＜0.01)。各组间胰腺PDX-1表达情况无显著差异。结论:对胰岛素抵抗糖尿病前期KKAy小鼠,给予二甲双胍可以维持胰岛的功能和形态,给与西格列汀可能促进β细胞增殖,提高胰岛素转录因子MafA的表达水平,防止糖尿病的发生发展。     

低压低氧对小鼠精子发生及其小RNA表达的影响

作为青藏高原最为关键的环境因子,低压低氧对高原非习服动物繁殖和生殖系统功能有不利影响。已有的研究表明,低氧环境会导致雄性生殖细胞凋亡、精子畸形率升高、精子质量下降,进而影响受精和早期胚胎发育,但目前缺乏低氧损伤精子功能的机理研究。小RNA (small RNA) 是在转录后及翻译水平上调控基因表达的重要功能分子,不同类型的small RNA通过诱导基因沉默或调控翻译等方式参与调节精子发生。本研究通过低压氧舱模拟海拔5 000 m处理4周建立缺氧小鼠模型,发现低氧处理导致小鼠曲精细管中生精细胞排列紊乱,精子数量未发生显著变化但畸形率增加17.5倍 (P < 0.001)。通过small RNA测序发现,低氧组小鼠精子中的small RNA碱基偏好性与对照组一致,第一碱基对尿嘧啶 (U) 有很强的偏好性。低氧组小鼠精子中21 nt长度的small RNA比例显著减少4.4% (P < 0.05)。低氧组小鼠精子中piRNA、tsRNA表达无差异,但miRNA表达上调21个,下调58个。对差异miRNAs靶基因与相同低氧处理小鼠睾丸组织差异基因比对,共比对到831个差异表达基因,其中上调miRNAs的靶基因中有429个差异表达基因;下调miRNAs的靶基因中有813个差异表达基因。此外,上调miRNAs的靶基因富集在FoxO信号通路、甲状腺激素信号通路、类固醇生物合成和HIF?1信号等通路,而下调miRNAs的靶基因富集在脂肪酸代谢等通路。本研究获得了缺氧小鼠精子small RNA变化图谱,对人类和其他动物在缺氧环境下精子表观遗传修饰变化的研究具有参考价值。     

Sympathetic and metabolic correlates of hypoxic moderation of spontaneous hypertension in the rat

Exposure to hypobaric hypoxia (H; simulated altitude = 3658 m) was initiated in 5-week-old, male spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKy) normotensive rats while normoxic controls (N) for both groups were maintained under laboratory conditions. Significant attenuation of systolic arterial blood pressure was evident in SHR-H relative to SHR-N (125 +/- 6 vs 145 +/- 5 mm Hg; P less than 0.05) but not in WKy-H relative to WKy-N (WKy-H, 116 +/- 2 vs WKy-N, 117 +/- 5 mm Hg). Hypoxia significantly decreased metabolic efficiency in both normotensive and hypertensive rats, although being both more severe and accompanied by significantly impaired growth rate in SHR-H. Urinary excretion of norepinephrine in the SHR was elevated relative to WKy, irrespective of altitude treatment, while hypoxia elicited similar increases in urinary excretion of norepinephrine in both SHR and WKy. Myocardial and adrenal contents of norepinephrine were significantly reduced following 3 days of simulated altitude exposure in both strains of rats. Tissue contents of norepinephrine in hypoxic rats returned to normoxic levels by 21 days of simulated altitude. Both urine and tissue indices provided consistent indirect evidence that changes in sympathetic neuronal activity in response to hypoxia were similar in normotensive and hypertensive rats. These findings suggest that prior reports of reduced alpha-adrenergic responsiveness in vasculature from hypoxia-exposed SHR reflect a postsynaptic event that is regulated independently of norepinephrine release from sympathetic nerve terminals.     

Critical role of hypoxia and A2A adenosine receptors in liver tissue-protecting physiological anti-inflammatory pathway

Whole body exposure of wild type control littermates and A2A adenosine receptor (A2AR) gene deleted mice to low oxygen containing inspired gas mixture allowed the investigation of the mechanism that controls inflammatory liver damage and protects the liver using a mouse model of T cell-mediated viral and autoimmune hepatitis. We tested the hypothesis that the inflammatory tissue damage-associated hypoxia and extracellular adenosine --> A2AR signaling plays an important role in the physiological anti-inflammatory mechanism that limits liver damage during fulminant hepatitis. After induction of T cell-mediated hepatitis, mice were kept in modular chambers either under normoxic (21% oxygen) or hypoxic (10% oxygen) conditions for 8 h. It was shown that the whole body exposure to hypoxic atmosphere caused tissue hypoxia in healthy animals as evidenced by a decrease in the arterial blood oxygen tension and increase of the plasma adenosine concentration (P < 0.05). This "hypoxic" treatment resulted in significantly reduced hepatocellular damage and attenuated levels of serum cytokines in mice with acute liver inflammation. The anti-inflammatory effects of hypoxia were not observed in the absence of A2AR in studies of A2AR gene-deficient mice or when A2AR have been pharmacologically antagonized with synthetic antagonist. The presented data demonstrate that total body hypoxia-triggered pathway provides protection in acute hepatitis and that hypoxia (upstream) and A2AR (downstream) function in the same immunosuppressive and liver tissue-protecting pathway.     

Effects of hypoxia exposure on hepatic cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) expression in Atlantic croaker: molecular mechanisms of CYP1A down-regulation

Hypoxia-inducible factor-α (HIF-α) and cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) are biomarkers of environmental exposure to hypoxia and organic xenobiotic chemicals that act through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, respectively. Many aquatic environments heavily contaminated with organic chemicals, such as harbors, are also hypoxic. Recently, we and other scientists reported HIF-α genes are upregulated by hypoxia exposure in aquatic organisms, but the molecular mechanisms of hypoxia regulation of CYP1A expression have not been investigated in teleost fishes. As a first step in understanding the molecular mechanisms of hypoxia modulation of CYP1A expression in fish, we characterized CYP1A cDNA from croaker liver. Hypoxia exposure (dissolved oxygen, DO: 1.7 mg/L for 2 to 4 weeks) caused significant decreases in hepatic CYP1A mRNA and protein levels compared to CYP1A levels in fish held in normoxic conditions. In vivo studies showed that the nitric oxide (NO)-donor, S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine, significantly decreased CYP1A expression in croaker livers, whereas the competitive inhibitor of NO synthase (NOS), N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, restored CYP1A mRNA and protein levels in hypoxia-exposed (1.7 mg DO/L for 4 weeks) fish. In vivo hypoxia exposure also markedly increased interleukin-1β (IL-1β, a cytokine), HIF-2α mRNA and endothelial NOS (eNOS) protein levels in croaker livers. Pharmacological treatment with vitamin E, an antioxidant, lowered the IL-1β, HIF-2α mRNA and eNOS protein levels in hypoxia-exposed fish and completely reversed the down-regulation of hepatic CYP1A mRNA and protein levels in response to hypoxia exposure. These results suggest that hypoxia-induced down-regulation of CYP1A is due to alterations of NO and oxidant status, and cellular IL-1β and HIF-α levels. Moreover, the present study provides the first evidence of a role for antioxidants in hepatic eNOS and IL-1β regulation in aquatic vertebrates during hypoxic stress.     

Changes in the activity levels of glutamine synthetase, glutaminase and glycogen synthetase in rats subjected to hypoxic stress

 Exposure to high altitude causes loss of body mass and alterations in metabolic processes, especially carbohydrate and protein metabolism. The present study was conducted to elucidate the role of glutamine synthetase, glutaminase and glycogen synthetase under conditions of chronic intermittent hypoxia. Four groups, each consisting of 12 male albino rats (Wistar strain), were exposed to a simulated altitude of 7620 m in a hypobaric chamber for 6 h per day for 1, 7, 14 and 21 days, respectively. Blood haemoglobin, blood glucose, protein levels in the liver, muscle and plasma, glycogen content, and glutaminase, glutamine synthetase and glycogen synthetase activities in liver and muscle were determined in all groups of exposed and in a group of unexposed animals. Food intake and changes in body mass were also monitored. There was a significant reduction in body mass (28–30%) in hypoxia-exposed groups as compared to controls, with a corresponding decrease in food intake. There was rise in blood haemoglobin and plasma protein in response to acclimatisation. Over a three-fold increase in liver glycogen content was observed following 1 day of hypoxic exposure (4.76±0.78 mg·g⁻¹ wet tissue in normal unexposed rats; 15.82±2.30 mg·g⁻¹ wet tissue in rats exposed to hypoxia for 1 day). This returned to normal in later stages of exposure. However, there was no change in glycogen synthetase activity except for a decrease in the 21-days hypoxia-exposed group. There was a slight increase in muscle glycogen content in the 1-day exposed group which declined significantly by 56.5, 50.6 and 42% following 7, 14, and 21 days of exposure, respectively. Muscle glycogen synthetase activity was also decreased following 21 days of exposure. There was an increase in glutaminase activity in the liver and muscle in the 7-, 14- and 21-day exposed groups. Glutamine synthetase activity was higher in the liver in 7- and 14-day exposed groups; this returned to normal following 21 days of exposure. Glutamine synthetase activity in muscle was significantly higher in the 14-day exposed group (4.32 μmol γ-glutamyl hydroxamate formed·g protein⁻¹·min⁻¹) in comparison to normal (1.53 μmol γ-glutamyl hydroxamate formed·g protein⁻¹·min⁻¹); this parameter had decreased by 40% following 21 days of exposure. These results suggest that since no dramatic changes in the levels of protein were observed in the muscle and liver, there is an alteration in glutaminase and glutamine synthetase activity in order to maintain nitrogen metabolism in the initial phase of hypoxic exposure. Received: 30 March 1998 / Revised: 18 November 1998 / Accepted: 25 November 1998     

N-acetylcysteine inhibits hypoxic pulmonary hypertension most effectively in the initial phase of chronic hypoxia

Exposure to chronic hypoxia results in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH). In rats HPH develops during the first two weeks of exposure to hypoxia, then it stabilizes and does not increase in severity. We hypothesize that free radical injury to pulmonary vascular wall is an important mechanism in the early days of the hypoxic exposure. Thus antioxidant treatment just before and at the beginning of hypoxia should be more effective in reducing HPH than antioxidant therapy of developed pulmonary hypertension. We studied adult male rats exposed for 4 weeks to isobaric hypoxia (F(iO2) = 0.1) and treated with the antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 20 g/l in drinking water). NAC was given "early" (7 days before and the first 7 days of hypoxia) or "late" (last two weeks of hypoxic exposure). These experimental groups were compared with normoxic controls and untreated hypoxic rats (3-4 weeks hypoxia). All animals kept in hypoxia had significantly higher mean pulmonary arterial blood pressure (PAP) than normoxic animals. PAP was significantly lower in hypoxic animals with early (27.1 +/- 0.9 mmHg) than late NAC treatment (30.5 +/- 1.0 mmHg, P < 0.05; hypoxic without NAC 32.6 +/- 1.2 mmHg, normoxic controls 14.9 +/- 0.7 mmHg). Early but not late NAC treatment inhibited hypoxia-induced increase in right ventricle weight and muscularization of distal pulmonary arteries assessed by quantitative histology. We conclude that release of free oxygen radicals in early phases of exposure to hypoxia induces injury to pulmonary vessels that contributes to their structural remodeling and development of HPH.     

Effect of 7-Nitroindazole Sodium on the Cellular Distribution of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase in the Cerebral Cortex of Hypoxic Newborn Piglets

Cerebral hypoxia results in generation of nitric oxide (NO) free radicals by Ca⁺⁺-dependent activation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). The present study tests the hypothesis that the hypoxia-induced increased expression of nNOS in cortical neurons is mediated by NO. To test this hypothesis the cellular distribution of nNOS was determined immunohistochemically in the cerebral cortex of hypoxic newborn piglets with and without prior exposure to the selective nNOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole sodium (7-NINA). Studies were conducted in newborn piglets, divided into normoxic (n = 6), normoxic treated with 7-NINA (n = 6), hypoxic (n = 6) and hypoxic pretreated with 7-NINA (n = 6). Hypoxia was induced by lowering the FiO₂ to 0.05–0.07 for 1 h. Cerebral tissue hypoxia was documented by decrease of ATP and phosphocreatine levels in both the hypoxic and 7-NINA pretreated hypoxic groups (P < 0.01). An increase in the number of nNOS immunoreactive neurons was observed in the frontal and parietal cortex of the hypoxic as compared to the normoxic groups (P < 0.05) which was attenuated by pretreatment with 7-NINA (P < 0.05 versus hypoxic). 7-NINA affected neither the cerebral energy metabolism nor the cellular distribution of nNOS in the cerebral cortex of normoxic animals. We conclude that nNOS expression in cortical neurons of hypoxic newborn piglets is NO-mediated. We speculate that nNOS inhibition by 7-NINA will protect against hypoxia-induced NO-mediated neuronal death.     

Impaired pulmonary conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II in rats exposed to chronic hypoxia

The effects of exposing rats to hypoxia at normal atmospheric pressure for periods of 21-24 days on intrapulmonary conversion of angiotensin I (ANG I) to angiotensin II (ANG II) were examined using an isolated rat lung preparation perfused at constant flow. 125I-ANG I (160 fmol) was injected alone and with graded doses (0.1, 1.0, and 100 nmol) of unlabeled ANG I into the pulmonary artery, and the effluent was collected for measurement of ANG I, ANG II, and metabolites. At low doses of injected ANG I (125I-ANG I alone or with 0.1 or 1.0 nmol unlabeled ANG I), the percent conversion of ANG I to ANG II was 67.5 +/- 2.1 (SE), 65.1 +/- 2.0, and 62.5 +/- 1.6 in 21-day hypoxia-exposed animals and 83.8 +/- 2.7, 81.4 +/- 3.9, and 79.6 +/- 2.3 (P less than 0.01) in control rats maintained under normoxic conditions. At the highest dose (100 nmol) of injected ANG I, percent conversion was reduced in both hypoxic and control groups to 46.8 +/- 5.0 and 64.0 +/- 6.0, respectively (P less than 0.05). Mean transit times of labeled material through the pulmonary circulation were not significantly different in hypoxic vs. normoxic lungs at any ANG I load, suggesting that the decreased conversion seen in hypoxic lungs was not related to altered kinetics of substrate exposure. Thus chronic hypoxia is associated with significant inhibition of transpulmonary ANG I conversion that is independent of perfusate flow. We postulate that this phenomenon is due to alterations at the endothelial membrane level.     

Effects of acute hypoxia and hyperoxia on respiratory rate in albino rats chronically exposed to hypoxia

Changes in respiratory frequencies with hypoxic or hyperoxic exposure were studied in: 12 normoxic control rats (N) born and raised in normoxic environment at sea level; 12 rats (A) born and raised in normoxic environment at sea level exposed to normobaric hypoxia (10% O2 in N2) as adults; 12 rats of first generation (G1) raised in the above mentioned hypoxic environment since a few hours after birth; 12 rats of third generation (G3) conceived and born in the hypoxic environment of hypoxic parents of second generation and maintained continuously under hypoxic conditions until their utilization. The response of A rats to 10% O2 and 7% O2 breathing was elevated (57% and 86% over air breathing). The mean respiratory frequency of A rats exposed to 7% O2 rose to a greater extent than did that of N rats. The G1 and G3 rats were less responsive to 7% O2 (64% and 37% over air breathing, respectively) than N and A rats; however, in G1 rats the exposure to 7% O2 produced a greater rise of frequency than in G3 rats. Furthermore A rats, G1 rats and G3 rats were less responsive to 97% O2 breathing (19%, 19% and 11% below air breathing, respectively). Comparing these data with previous findings we suggest that, with chronic exposure to hypoxia, changes in ventilatory response to hypoxia and hyperoxia occur in the following manner: I) loss of response to hypoxia if chronic exposure is begun in the immediate postnatal period; 2) degree of response to hypoxia or hyperoxia influenced by duration of chronic exposure.