Impaired Redox Homeostasis in the Heart Left Ventricles of Aged Rats Experiencing Fast-Developing Severe Hypobaric Hypoxia

Abstract

Despite its rare occurrence, humans and animals have been prone to getting fast developing severe hypobaric hypoxia. Understanding the redox homeostasis related response of an aging heart to this type of hypoxia are crucially important, since the metabolism of myocardial tissue depends on the redox status of proteins. Rodents can tolerate hypoxic stress better than human subjects. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of fast developing severe hypobaric hypoxia on redox status biomarkers; such as, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), lipid hydroperoxides (LHPs), protein carbonyl groups (PCO), protein thiol groups (P-SH), and total thiol groups (T-SH) on the myocardial left ventricles of young and aged Wistar rats. The rats were gradually ascended and exposed to an 8000-meter hypobaric hypoxia. While AOPP levels showed no difference, the TSH and PSH concentrations decreased, and the PCO and LHP increased in both of the hypoxic groups than the controls. The TSH and PSH were lower, and AOPP, PCO and LHP were found to be higher in the elderly hypoxic groups than in the young ones. The significant outcome of the study represents that an 8000-meter hypobaric hypoxia could be considered as a severe hypoxic stress, but not life-treating for the rats and would affect both the young and aged left ventricles similarly in respect to impaired redox status. However, if the percentage increases are taken into consideration, it seems that the higher rate of protein oxidation occurs in young hearts; meanwhile aged hearts are more prone to T-SH oxidation.