Effects of different altitudes and acute hypoxia for different time on the expression of NPY mRNA in the rat hypothalamus / 第三军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the effects of acute hypoxia on the expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA in the rat hypothalamus. Methods A total of 78 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 13 groups ( n =6 in each group) control group and 12 experimental groups. Rats in the experimental groups were exposed to hypoxia in the hypobaric chamber simulating the altitudes of 3 000, 4 000, 5 000, and 6 000 m for 1, 2, and 3 d, respectively. The expression of NPY mRNA in the rat hypothalamus under the condition of acute hypoxia was detected by semi quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR). Results ① Expression of NPY mRNA was detected in the rat hypothalamus in the experimental groups and the control group. ② Under the condition of acute hypoxia for the same time, the expression of NPY mRNA in the rat hypothalamus showed the tendency of decrease at increasing altitudes; ③ At the same altitude, expression of NPY mRNA in the rat hypothalamus decreased gradually with the increasing time for acute hypoxia. Conclusion Acute hypoxia can decrease the expression of NPY mRNA in the rat hypothalamus.