Participation of HIF-1 in the mechanisms of neuroadaptation to acute stressful exposure

Abstract

BACKGROUND: New laboratory and instrumental technologies for analyzing the adaptive capabilities of a biological organism to acute stressful effects including hypoxic ones have significantly facilitated the diagnosis and fixation of adaptive behavioral reactions, physiological and biochemical changes. Much attention has been paid to the phenomenon of preconditioning a positive effect from exposure to small doses of pathogenic factors. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is one of the most promising markers for fixing the phenomenon of hypoxic preconditioning.
 AIM: To study the mechanisms of neuroadaptation to acute stressful effects.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using models of immobilization, hypothermic exposure, and electrocutaneous irritation of rat paws were carried out for the assessment of the mechanisms of neuroadaptation. Changes in the HIF-1 concentration were recorded in the blood and in the structures of the brain.
 RESULTS: The maximum concentration of HIF-1 was found in the amygdala (230 pg / mg), in the prefrontal cortex it was 50.8 pg / mg in the control group. Hypothermal exposure increased the HIF-1 content in the amygdala by more than 4 times, while emotionally pain and immobilization showed a slight decrease in HIF-1 in the amygdala. All types of stressors significantly increased the concentration of HIF-1 in the prefrontal cortex of animals. The most pronounced changes were observed when using the model of emotional pain stress. The obtained experimental data allow us to draw with caution a conclusion about the universality and unity of multicomponent mechanisms of adaptation to acute stressful effects.