The purpose of this study is to look at how a reduction in oxygen levels (hypoxia) influences insulin sensitivity and carbohydrate metabolism. It is expected that 10 nights of exposure to moderate hypoxia (\~ 15% O2, similar to conditions at an altitude of \~7500 feet) will improve glucose metabolism.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
9
Participants spent 10 consecutive nights (approximately 100 hours of exposure) in a hypoxic tent at \~ 15% O2 (ca. 2400 m elevation).
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Change in Insulin sensitivity
Glucose disposal and oxidation were measured using a two-step hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp and indirect calorimetry.
Time frame: Change from baseline to 10 nights of hypoxia exposure
Change in oxygen tension in adipose tissue
pO2 levels were measured in adipose tissue both under hypoxia and normal oxygen conditions (normoxia) via a dual temperature-oxygen tension probe.
Time frame: Before and after 10 nights of hypoxia exposure
Glucose uptake in myotubes
Glucose uptake assays were performed in the presence or absence of hypoxia on myotubes harvested from muscle biopsies.
Time frame: Before 10 nights of hypoxia exposure
Change in gene and protein expression
Gene and protein expression of some hypoxia-responsive and insulin-signaling markers were measured in biopsied muscle and adipose tissue via RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively.
Time frame: Before and after 10 nights of hypoxia exposure
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