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

Sci Rep. 2021 Feb 24;11(1):4494. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-80425-8.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Altitude
  • Animals
  • Atmospheric Pressure
  • Cerebellum / physiology
  • Hippocampus / physiology
  • Hypoxia / genetics*
  • Hypoxia / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mitochondria / genetics*
  • Mitochondria / physiology*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
  • Running / physiology