ABSTRACT
Oxygen consumption, glucose blood level and liver mitochondrial respiration were investigated in male Wistar rats permanently living in middle altitude (2100 m, Elbrus region). The animals were characterized by reduced body oxygen consumption and blood glucose level, as well as by intensified utilization of NAD-dependent substrates in mitochondrial respiratory chain with increasing indices of ADP-stimulated respiration in comparison with plains rats. As a result of adaptive rebuilding of oxidative metabolism in rats--inhabitants of midlands, the nature and severity of metabolic responses to acute hypoxia were also changed. After lifting in barochamber to a "height" of 5600 m during 3 hours, plains rats transiently demonstrated hypometabolic and hyperglycemic reactions. A rapid adaptation of mitochondrial function occurred due to increase in the rate of FAD-dependent substrate oxidation accompanied by a decrease in the effectiveness of phosphorylation. In midland rats, by contrast, hypoglycemic reaction was developed, and further reduction of aerobic metabolism was limited. Rapid adaptation of mitochondrial function to acute hypoxia in those rats was more intense than in the plains animals. This was achieved by a significant increase in the rate of NAD-dependent substrate oxidation, especially lipids, and an improved efficiency of mitochondrial respiration and an increased economy of oxygen utilization.
