ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the changes of expression levels of 12S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit Ⅰ (COXⅠ) mRNA encoded by mtDNA in rat cerebral cortex after rat exposure to hypobaric hypoxia for different days. Methods Healthy male Wistar rats were exposed to hypobaric chamber simulating 5 000 m above sea level (23 5 h/day) for 2, 5, 15 and 30 d. Rats in the control group were not exposed to hypoxia. Rats were sacrificed by decapitation. Total RNA in cerebral cortex was extracted using a standard program. Transcriptional levels of 12S rRNA and COXⅠ mRNA were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR). Results Compared with that in the control, the expression of 12S rRNA increased by 57% after hypoxic exposure for 2 d ( P 0 05). Compared with that in the control group, the expression of COXⅠ mRNA increased significantly by 55% and 106% after hypoxic exposure for 2 and 5 d ( P 0 05). Conclusion Hypoxic exposure may have effect on both protein gene and ribosome gene expression encoded by mtDNA, and the expression changes in a hypoxic exposure time dependent manner. This suggests that hypoxia can have effect on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation gene expression at both mitochondrial transcriptional and translational levels.
ABSTRACT
AIM: To study the changes in capillarity of skeletal muscle during acclimation to high altitude, and explore the effects of a certain extent physical activity under hypoxia on capillary formation and the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in this process. METHODS: 48 Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: Ⅰ normoxic control; Ⅱ hypoxia and Ⅲ hypoxia+exercise. Rats of Ⅱ and Ⅲ groups were subjected to hypobaric hypoxia for 5 weeks (23 h/d). They were first brought to simulated 4 000 m altitude, where rats of the Ⅲgroup were forced to swim for 1 h/d (6 d/week). Then the animals were ascent to 5 000 m. Biomicrosphere method was used to determine blood flow of skeletal muscle. The mean fiber cross-sectional area (FCSA), capillary density (CD) and capillary/fiber ratio (C/F) of red portion of the lateral head of the gastrocneminus were assayed by myofibrillar ATPase histochemistry. VEGF and its receptor KDR were assayed with immunohistochemistry method.RESULTS: By comparison with the normoxic control, 5-week hypoxic exposure resulted in a decrease in cross-sectional area of skeletal muscle fiber and an increase in CD, but the C/F remained unchanged. The blood supply to the gastrocnemius was not changed. After 5-week-exercise at high altitude, the muscle fibers did not undergo atrophy. CD, C/F, and the blood flow at rest increased significantly. VEGF protein was found primarily in the matrix between muscle fibers; KDR were shown mainly in endothelial cells of capillary. VEGF was more strongly stained in the skeletal muscle of hypoxia-exercise rats.CONCLUSION: Hypoxia itself can not induce neovascularization. While exercise during hypoxic exposure can lead to capillary formation. VEGF and KDR may play roles in it. New capillary formation benefits the blood supply, oxygen delivery and working performance at high altitude.
ABSTRACT
AIM: To study the changes in myocardial blood flow (MBF), capillarization and cardiac function in the rat during acclimation to hypoxia. METHODS: Myocardial capillary density (CD) and capillary/myocyte ratio (C/M) was assayed by alkaline phosphatase histochemistry. Biomicrosphere method was used to determine MBF in the rat after 5, 15 or 30 days hypobaric hypoxic exposure (5 000 m). RESULTS: In the course of hypoxia, MBF and cardiac function increased in the right ventricle. However, in the left ventricle, acute hypoxia caused an increase in MBF and a decrease in cardiac function. Both returned to the control level on continued hypoxic exposure. Neovascularization occurred after 15 day or 30 day of hypoxic exposure in both ventricles, judged from the significant increment of C/M ratio albeit the CD remained unchanged in the right ventricle. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that adaptive changes in rat heart during acclimation to hypoxia include: ① persistent increase in MBF, hypertrophy associated with increase in capillarity and enhanced cardiac function of the right ventricle; ② increase in MBF and depression of cardiac function at first, then followed by recovery of MBF and increase in capillarity accompanied with recovery of left ventricular function.