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Chen X, Wang Z, Su J, Li H, Xiong J, Fu K, Wang Z, Yuan X, Shi Z, Miao X, Yang M, Yang Y, Shi Z. Altitude-dependent metabolite biomarkers reveal the mechanism of plateau pika adaptation to high altitudes. Integr Zool 2023; 18:1041-1055. [PMID: 36880690 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
The harsh environment in the Tibetan plateau, the highest place in the world, poses thermoregulatory challenges and hypoxic stress to animals. The impacts of plateau environment on animal physiology and reproduction include external factors such as strong ultraviolet radiation and low temperature, and internal factors such as animal metabolites and gut microbiota. However, it remains unclear how plateau pika adapt to high altitudes through the combination of serum metabolites and gut microbiota. To this end, we captured 24 wild plateau pikas at the altitudes of 3400, 3600, or 3800 m a.s.l. in a Tibetan alpine grassland. Using the machine learning algorithms (random forest), we identified five biomarkers of serum metabolites indicative of the altitudes, that is, dihydrotestosterone, homo-l-arginine, alpha-ketoglutaric-acid, serotonin, and threonine, which were related to body weight, reproduction, and energy metabolism of pika. Those metabolic biomarkers were positively correlated with Lachnospiraceae_ Agathobacter, Ruminococcaceae, or Prevotellaceae_Prevotella, suggesting the close relationship between metabolites and gut microbiota. By identifying the metabolic biomarkers and gut microbiota analysis, we reveal the mechanisms of adaptation to high altitudes in plateau pika.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Center for Grassland Microbiome, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zaiwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Center for Grassland Microbiome, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Junhu Su
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Huan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Center for Grassland Microbiome, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jinbo Xiong
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Keyi Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Center for Grassland Microbiome, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zilong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Center for Grassland Microbiome, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xuefeng Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Center for Grassland Microbiome, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ziyue Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Center for Grassland Microbiome, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiumei Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Center for Grassland Microbiome, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Mei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Center for Grassland Microbiome, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yunfeng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Center for Grassland Microbiome, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, China
| | - Zunji Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, Center for Grassland Microbiome, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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Chang D, Kong F, Jiang W, Li F, Zhang C, Ding H, Kang Y, Li W, Huang C, Zhou X, Zhang X, Jiao H, Kang Y, Shang X, Zhang B. Effects of L-carnitine Administration on Sperm and Sex Hormone Levels in a Male Wistar Rat Reproductive System Injury Model in a High-Altitude Hypobaric Hypoxic Environment. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:2231-2247. [PMID: 36633830 PMCID: PMC10310634 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-00948-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The plateau environment impacts male reproductive function, causing decreased sperm quality and testosterone levels. L-carnitine can improve the semen microenvironment. However, the role of L-carnitine in a high-altitude environment remains unclear. In our study, we investigated the effects of L-carnitine administration in a male Wistar rat reproductive system injury model in the context of a simulated high-altitude environment. Rats were randomly divided into a normal control group (group A1, A2-low dose and A3-high dose) and high-altitude model groups (group B, C-low dose and D-high dose) with 20 rats in each group. With the exception of the normal control group exposed to normoxic conditions, the other groups were maintained in a hypobaric oxygen chamber that simulated an altitude of 6000 m for 28 days. In the experimental period, the low-dose groups (A2 and C) were administered 50 mg/kg L-carnitine via intraperitoneal injection once a day, and the high-dose groups (A3 and D) were given 100 mg/kg. After the feeding period, blood samples were collected to assess blood gas, serum hormone levels and oxidative stress. Sperm from the epididymis were collected to analyse various sperm parameters. After obtaining the testicular tissue, the morphological and pathological changes were observed under a light microscope and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The impact of the simulated high-altitude environment on the rat testis tissue is obvious. Specifically, a decreased testicular organ index and altered indices of arterial blood gas and serum sex hormone levels caused testicular tissue morphological damage, reduced sperm quality, increased sperm deformity rate and altered malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) concentrations. The results demonstrate that L-carnitine can be administered as a preventive intervention to reduce the reproductive damage caused by high-altitude hypobaric and hypoxic environments and improve semen quality in a rat model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dehui Chang
- Department of Urology, The 940th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Feiyan Kong
- Second Department of Surgery, Beijing Fengtai Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Air Force Hangzhou Secret Service Rehabilitation Center, Convalescent Section First of Convalescent Zone Second, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fudong Li
- Department of Urology, The 940th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Chunlei Zhang
- Department of Urology, The 940th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Haoshuai Ding
- The First Affiliated Clinical Medical College, Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Yindong Kang
- Department of Urology, The 940th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Weiping Li
- Department of Urology, The 940th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Chuang Huang
- Department of Urology, The 940th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- The First Affiliated Clinical Medical College, Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- Department of Urology, The 940th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Hongmei Jiao
- Department of Urology, The 940th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Yafen Kang
- Department of Urology, The 940th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xuejun Shang
- Department of Urology, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Urology, The 940th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
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Verratti V, Mrakic-Sposta S, Fusi J, Sabovic I, Franzoni F, Pietrangelo T, Bondi D, Dall’Acqua S, Daniele S, Scarfò G, Di Giulio C, Garolla A. Fertility Impairment after Trekking at High Altitude: A Proof of Mechanisms on Redox and Metabolic Seminal Changes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:9066. [PMID: 36012330 PMCID: PMC9409093 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Many authors described negative but reversible effects of high-altitude hypoxic exposure on animal and human fertility in terms of sperm concentration, function, and biochemical alterations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute and chronic effects of high-altitude exposure on classical sperm parameters, redox status, and membrane composition in a group of travellers. Five healthy Italian males, all lowlanders not accustomed to the altitude, were evaluated after 19 days-trekking through low, moderate, and high altitudes in the Himalayas. Sperm samples were collected before (Pre), 10 days after (Post), and 70 days after the end of the expedition (Follow-up). Sperm concentration, cholesterol and oxysterol membrane content, and redox status were measured. Hypoxic trek led to a significant reduction in sperm concentration (p < 0.001, η2p = 0.91), with a reduction from Pre to Post (71.33 ± 38.81 to 60.65 ± 34.63 × 106/mL) and a further reduction at Follow-up (to 37.13 ± 39.17 × 106/mL). The seminal volume was significantly affected by the hypoxic trek (p = 0.001, η2p = 0.75) with a significant reduction from Pre to Post (2.86 ± 0.75 to 1.68 ± 0.49 mL) and with partial recovery at Follow-up (to 2.46 ± 0.45 mL). Moreover, subjects had an increase in ROS production (+86%), and a decrease in antioxidant capacity (−37%) in the Post period with partial recovery at Follow-up. These results integrated the hormonal response on thyroid function, hypothalamus−pituitary−gonadal axis, and the prolactin/cortisol pathways previously reported. An uncontrolled ROS production, rather than a compromised antioxidant activity, was likely the cause of impaired sperm quality. The reduction in fertility status observed in this study may lie in an evolutionary Darwinian explanation, i.e., limiting reproduction due to the “adaptive disadvantage” offered by the combined stressors of high-altitude hypoxia and daily physical exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittore Verratti
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University “G. D’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Simona Mrakic-Sposta
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (IFC-CNR), 20162 Milan, Italy
| | - Jonathan Fusi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Iva Sabovic
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Franzoni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Tiziana Pietrangelo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University “G. D’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Danilo Bondi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University “G. D’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefano Dall’Acqua
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Science, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Simona Daniele
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giorgia Scarfò
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Camillo Di Giulio
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University “G. D’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Andrea Garolla
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
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Mrakic-Sposta S, Biagini D, Bondi D, Pietrangelo T, Vezzoli A, Lomonaco T, Di Francesco F, Verratti V. OxInflammation at High Altitudes: A Proof of Concept from the Himalayas. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11020368. [PMID: 35204250 PMCID: PMC8869289 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11020368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
High-altitude locations are fascinating for investigating biological and physiological responses in humans. In this work, we studied the high-altitude response in the plasma and urine of six healthy adult trekkers, who participated in a trek in Nepal that covered 300 km in 19 days along a route in the Kanchenjunga Mountain and up to a maximum altitude of 5140 m. Post-trek results showed an unbalance in redox status, with an upregulation of ROS (+19%), NOx (+28%), neopterin (+50%), and pro-inflammatory prostanoids, such as PGE2 (+120%) and 15-deoxy-delta12,14-PGJ2 (+233%). The isoprostane 15-F2t-IsoP was associated with low levels of TAC (−18%), amino-thiols, omega-3 PUFAs, and anti-inflammatory CYP450 EPA-derived mediators, such as DiHETEs. The deterioration of antioxidant systems paves the way to the overload of redox and inflammative markers, as triggered by the combined physical and hypoxic stressors. Our data underline the link between oxidative stress and inflammation, which is related to the concept of OxInflammation into the altitude hypoxia fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Mrakic-Sposta
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (IFC-CNR), 20162 Milan, Italy; (S.M.-S.); (A.V.)
| | - Denise Biagini
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.L.); (F.D.F.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Danilo Bondi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (D.B.); (T.P.)
| | - Tiziana Pietrangelo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (D.B.); (T.P.)
| | - Alessandra Vezzoli
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (IFC-CNR), 20162 Milan, Italy; (S.M.-S.); (A.V.)
| | - Tommaso Lomonaco
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.L.); (F.D.F.)
| | - Fabio Di Francesco
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (T.L.); (F.D.F.)
| | - Vittore Verratti
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
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