The Effects of Hypoxia on Heart and Brain Tissue of the African Naked Mole Rat

This study investigates the impact of hypoxia on mammals, emphasizing the adaptive mechanisms that sustain cellular equilibrium under oxygen-deficient conditions. Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation is highlighted as the primary and efficient method for energy production in aerobic scenarios, in contrast to the less efficient glycolysis pathway. Using the naked mole-rat as a model organism, the research examines its exceptional adaptations to hypoxia, which enable survival in low-oxygen environments for at least 18 minutes. This resilience is demonstrated through brain slice models that maintain synaptic function under extreme oxygen deprivation. Neural adaptations are further explored using EEG recordings, lactate measurements, and NMDA infusions into the caudate, evaluating brain activity during wakefulness, sleep, hypoxia, and recovery, and investigating lactate's role in brain metabolism and neuroprotection. Additionally, the study includes Mexican free-tailed bats and neonate mice to examine hypoxia tolerance across a broader range of species, providing insights into the mechanisms of hypoxia resilience in mammals.