Wardaya’s research while affiliated with Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space and other places

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of intermittent hypobaric hypoxia on the expression hypoxia adaptation proteins, namely hypoxia inducibla factor-1a (HIF-1a) and myoglobin (Mb). Twenty five male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to intermittent hypobaric hypoxia in a hypobaric chamber in Indonesian Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine, for 49.5 minutes at various low pressure, 1 week interval for 4 times (day 1, 8, 15 and 22). HIF-1α and Mb protein were measured with ELISA. mRNA expression of Mb was measured with one step real time RT-PCR. HIF-1α protein levels increased after induction of hypobaric hypoxia and continues to decrease after induction of intermittent hypobaric hypoxia 3 times (ANOVA, p = 0.0437). mRNA expression and protein of Mb increased after induction of hypobaric hypoxia and continues to decrease after induction of intermittent hypobaric hypoxia 3 times (ANOVA, p = 0.0283; 0.0170), and both are strongly correlated (Pearson, r = 0.6307). The heart of rats adapted to intermittent hypoxia conditions by upregulation the expression of HIF-1a and myoglobin and then both return to normal level.

Introduction: Intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (IHH) is believed to have neuroprotective effect. IHH induces changes in gene expression and intracellular signaling pathways that lead to the emergence of intracellular adaptation through the process of erythropoiesis, angiogenesis, glucose transport and anaerobic glycolysis through HIF-1 alpha gene activity. IHH induction decreases brain cortical tissue damage, and increases microvascular density. The aim of this study is to investigate whether preconditioning by intermittent hypoxia in a hypobaric chamber influences plasticity responses in rat brain tissue. PSD 95 is required for synaptic plasticity associated with NMDA receptor signaling. Method: A total of 25 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups of IHH and 1 group as control. The 4 IHH groups were exposed to intermittent hypobaric hypoxia in Indonesian Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine hypobaric chamber, by 1 week interval for 4 times (day-1, 8, 15 and 22). The brain was taken for measuring PSD 95 using ELISA technique and expression of NMDAR using immunohistochemistry. Results: The group treated with 1, 2, 3, 4 times exposure to hypobaric hypoxia shows significant alteration in NMDAR expression, but there is no significant differences in PSD 95 compare to control group (p > 0.05). Conclusion: IHH shows plasticity responses after IHH induction in Sprague-Dawley rats brain.