Benefit of a single simulated hypobaric hypoxia in healthy mice performance and analysis of mitochondria-related gene changes

Abstract

Simulated hypobaric hypoxia (SHH) training has been used to enhance running performance. However, no studies have evaluated the effects of a single SHH exposure on healthy mice performance and analyzed the changes of mitochondria-related genes in the central nervous system. The current study used a mouse decompression chamber to simulate mild hypobaric hypoxia at the high altitude of 5000 m or severe hypobaric hypoxia at 8000 m for 16 h (SHH5000 & SHH8000, respectively). Then, the mouse behavioral tests were recorded by a modified Noldus video tracking. Third, the effects of SHH on 8 mitochondria-related genes of Drp1, Mfn1, Mfn2, Opa1, TFAM, SGK1, UCP2 and UCP4, were assessed in cerebellum, hippocampus and gastrocnemius muscles. The results have shown that a single mild or severe HH improves healthy mice performance. In cerebellum, 6 of all 8 detected genes (except Mfn2 and UCP4) did not change after SHH. In hippocampus, all detected genes did not change after SHH. In muscles, 7 of all 8 detected genes (except Opa1) did not change after SHH. The present study has indicated the benefit of a single SHH in healthy mice performance, which would due to the stabilized mitochondria against a mild stress state.

Visualizing a Convergence of Three Mitochondrial Molecule mRNAs for Drp1/Mfn2/Ucp4 on Soma of Cerebellar Purkinje Cells by RNAscope

“…Lacking neuronal UCPs causes mitochondrial dysfunction (decreased ATP, increased oxidative stress and calcium dysregulation) and might in uence plasticity and neurotransmission, all of which affect neurodegenerative pathologies [54]. From our previous results, Ucp4 located at the cerebellum shows sensitivity to the stress and up-regulated [57]. Consequently, we hypothesized that Ucp4 in Purkinje cells could serve as a preindicator of purkinje cell-related diseases.…”

Women’s mood at high altitude. sexual dimorphism in hypoxic stress modulation by the tryptophan–melatonin axis

“…The mitochondrial inner membrane uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), an anion carrier, senses changes in oxygen levels. The upregulation of UCP2 is essential for metabolic adaptation in hypoxic environments ( Wu et al, 2021 ; Rigaud et al, 2022 ). UCP2, moreover, plays an essential role in the development of cognitive ability and resistance to anxiety ( Wang et al, 2014 ).…”