Effect of intermittent hypoxia on expression of nerve cell autophagy-related protein in hippocampus of rats

Objective To study the effect of intermittent hypoxia(IH)on expression of nerve cell autophagy-related protein in hippocampus of rats by simulating the features of OSAHS.Methods Seventy-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group(n=36)and 5%IH group(n=36).Rats in control group received compressed air and those in 5%IH group were exposed to IH for 7heach day.On days 1,3,5,7,10,14 after the model was established,ultrastructure of rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cell mitochondria was observed under transmission electron microscope.Expression of Beclin-1and LC3 was detected by immunohistochemistry assay.Results The ultrastructure change of rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cell mitochondria was more significant in5%IH group than in control group,and mitochondria autophagosome formation was observed on day 3.The expression level of Beclin-1and LC3 protein was significantly higher in 5%IH group than in control group(P0.05),reached its peak on day 10(P0.05)and began to decrease on day 14(P0.05).Conclusion Early IH can induce nerve cell autophagy and expression of autophagy-related Beclin-1and LC3 protein in hippocampus of rats.