Studies on the effects of hypothermia combined with hypoxia on rat skeletal muscle and lipid metabolism based on AMPK/PGC1α pathway

AIM: To explore the effects of hypothermia and hypoxia on rat skeletal muscle and lipid metabolism. METHOD: Forty male rats were randomly divided into blank group, low-temperature group, hypoxia group, and hypothermia combined with hypoxia group. The body weight of the rats was monitored. The changes of Irisin were detected by ELISA, and LDL, HDL, TC, and TG levels in serum were detected by blood biochemistry. Western blot was used to detect the changes of lipid metabolism-related proteins. CCK8 was used to verify the effect of AMPK/PGC1α on the proliferation of rat skeletal muscle cells. RESULT: In the case of cold stimulation and hypoxia, the weight of the rats decreased significantly, and the levels of LDL, HDL, TC, and TG in the serum were abnormal. The activity of fatty acid metabolism factors Irisin, UCP-1, and FABP4 is down-regulated by hypothermia and hypoxia. The activity of fat metabolism-related enzymes, ATGL, HSL, and MGL increased under hypothermia and low oxygen conditions. Hypothermia and hypoxia affected the morphology of skeletal muscle, and AMPK/PGC-1α can regulate the proliferation of skeletal muscle cells. CONCLUSION: Hypothermia and hypoxia can reduce the body weight of rats, and affect the structure of skeletal muscle to promote lipid metabolism through AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway.