The Effects of Severe Hypobaric Hypoxia and Inhibition of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 (HIF-1) on Biomarkers of Cardiac and Skeletal Muscle Injury in Rats

Abstract

Abstract—The goal of the present study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms that underlie heart and skeletal muscle damage in male Wistar rats weighing 200–250 g in response to a 3-h exposure to 180 mm Hg (5% O₂) in the model of severe hypobaric hypoxia. It has been demonstrated that the level of the cardiac biomarker troponin I in the blood plasma of rats exposed to severe hypobaric hypoxia for 3 h increased significantly compared to the control group, indicating myocardial injury. At the same time, the administration of the HIF-1α transcription factor inhibitor did not affect the plasma level of troponin I. In contrast, the release of the non-specific biomarker myoglobin into the bloodstream did not increase in response to hypoxia compared to the control animals. In addition, 24 h after the exposure to severe hypobaric hypoxia the serum myoglobin level was significantly lower in animals administered with the HIF-1α inhibitor topotecan than in rats that did not receive topotecan. Therefore, it may be assumed that the inhibition of the HIF-1α transcription factor 10 min before exposure to severe hypobaric hypoxia reduces skeletal muscle damage. The mechanisms that affect the adaptation of heart and skeletal muscles to hypoxia are discussed.