Impact of acute and chronic hypoxia on the heme oxygenase/carbon monoxide pathway in naked mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber).

ABSTRACT: Heme oxygenase (HO) enzymes are responsible for the degradation of free heme and producing endogenous carbon monoxide (CO). Research has suggested that the HO-CO pathway imparts protective effects to hypoxic tissues. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of acute (4 h or 24 h at 7% O2) and chronic (7 days at 11% O2) hypoxia on the HO-CO pathway in the hypoxia-tolerant naked mole-rat. Specifically, we measured CO concentrations in nine organs and blood, as well as HO activity in all organs of animals exposed to normoxia (21% O2), acute hypoxia or chronic hypoxia. Hypoxia did not impact CO concentration or HO activity in most tissues, with the exception of the brain (decreased [CO] after 24 h and 7 days), heart (increased HO activity after 4 h), and intestine (increased

SUBMITTER: Kezar KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12752505 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature