Chen Yuan, Yu Li-Xia, Hong Yan, Niu Chao, Gao Jing-Wei, Jin Hong, Wang Xue-Lan, Wang Hai
Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi. 2014 May;30(3):285-8.
To investigate the effect of hypobaric hypoxia (HH)on the cognitive function of mice and the phosphorylation of tau protein in mice brain.
Forty male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 10): static control (control) group, 8 hours (8 h) group, 7 days(7 d) group and 28 days(28 d) group, which were exposed to simulated HH equivalent to 5 500 m in an animal decompression chamber for 0 hour, 8 hours, 7 days and 28 days, respectively. Cognitive performances were examined by open field and passive avoidance test, tan phosphorylation was assayed by Western blot.
In open field test,the group exposed in hypobaric hypoxia for 28 d showed lower mean velocity (P < 0.05), time in central zone (P < 0.05) was longer than control group. In passive avoidance test 28 d group presented worse performance in both latency time and number of mistakes (P < 0.05) compared with control group. Western blot showed that phosphorylated tau was increased significantly following exposure to HH for 7 d in cortex and 28 d in hippocampus (P < 0.05).
Tau hyperphosphorylation in brain of mice may play a role in chronic HH-induced cognitive function impairment.
