Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by dopaminergic neuron loss and the accumulation of alpha-synuclein (αSyn)-rich aggregates known as Lewy bodies. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a key contributor to PD pathology, and mitochondrial defects are part of the pathogenic mechanisms induced by αSyn. Stomatin-Like protein 2 (SLP-2) is a mitochondrial scaffold protein that regulates mitochondrial integrity and function. Here, we investigated whether SLP-2 induction can counteract αSyn-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and neurodegeneration. We found that SLP-2 levels were reduced in human PD brains and an A53T αSyn mouse model. Mild overexpression of SLP-2 improved mitochondrial function, reduced oxidative stress, and prevented αSyn-mitochondria interactions in human iPSC-derived neurons. In vivo , SLP-2 overexpression protected dopaminergic neurons and motor function, while its depletion exacerbated degeneration and motor deficits in both mouse and Drosophila models. These findings suggest SLP-2 as a key regulator of mitochondrial resilience and a potential therapeutic target for PD and alpha-synucleinopathies. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Weston Family Foundation, https://ror.org/0512g3q82 Canadian Institutes of Health Research Department of Innovation, Research, University, and Museums of the Autonomous Province of Bozen/Bolzano Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, https://ror.org/018mejw64

Erythropoietin (EPO) regulates respiration under conditions of normoxia and hypoxia through interaction with the respiratory centers of the brainstem. Here we investigate the dose-dependent impact of EPO in the CB response to hypoxia and hypercapnia. We show, in isolated "en bloc" carotid body (CB) preparations containing the carotid sinus nerve (CSN) from adult male Sprague Dawley rats, that EPO acts as a stimulator of CSN activity in response to hypoxia at concentrations below 0.5 IU/ml. Under hypercapnic conditions, EPO did not influence the CSN response. EPO concentrations above 0.5 IU/ml decreased the response of the CSN to both hypoxia and hypercapnia, reaching complete inhibition at 2 IU/ml. The inhibitory action of high-dose EPO on the CSN activity might result from an increase in nitric oxide (NO) production. Accordingly, CB preparations were incubated with 2 IU/ml EPO and the unspecific NO synthase inhibitor (L-NAME), or the neuronal-specific NO synthase inhibitor (7NI). Both NO inhibitors fully restored the CSN activity in response to hypoxia and hypercapnia in presence of EPO. Our results show that EPO activates the CB response to hypoxia when its concentration does not exceed the threshold at which NO inhibitors masks EPO's action.

Stress experienced during a critical period of development is a major cause of adult disease (Kivimäki and Steptoe, 2018; Nelson and Gabard-Durnam, 2020; Shonkoff, 2016; Shonkoff et al., 2009); it has persistent and sex-specific effects on health and the brain is a major target. One neural system of considerable interest is the neural system regulating breathing. Pathology in this homeostatic control system underlies important clinical disorders such as sleep disordered breathing (SDB). Adult rodents previously subjected to early life stress in the form neonatal maternal separation (NMS) show key features of SDB, including a greater incidence of apneas during sleep and a significant sexual dimorphism. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a potent neuroprotective factor secreted by neurons and astrocytes that prevents stress-related neurological insults. Because treatment options for SDB are limited, we tested the hypothesis that over expression of neural EPO alleviates NMS-related respiratory control dysfunction in adult mice. To test this hypothesis, we used a transgenic animal model that selectively overexpress EPO in the brain (Tg21). Mouse pups were raised under standard conditions or subjected to NMS (3h/day; postnatal days 3 to 12). At adulthood, the apnea index and reflexive responses to O2 (hypoxia) and CO2 (hypercapnia) were measured using whole body plethysmography; corticosterone levels were measured by ELISA assay. In wild type, NMS augmented apnea frequency in males (not females). This effect of NMS was not observed in Tg21 mice. NMS also caused a sex-specific increase in basal corticosterone (males only). EPO overexpression reduced this effect. We conclude that overexpression of neural EPO prevents the deleterious impacts of NMS on the development of the stress neuraxis and respiratory control.

Erythropoietin (EPO) improves neuronal mitochondrial function and cognition in adults after brain injury and in those afflicted by psychiatric disorders. However, the influence of EPO on mitochondria and cognition during development remains unexplored. We previously observed that EPO stimulates hippocampal-specific neuronal maturation and synaptogenesis early in postnatal development in mice. Here we show that EPO promotes mitochondrial respiration in developing postnatal hippocampus by increasing mitochondrial content and enhancing cellular respiratory potential. Ultrastructurally, mitochondria profiles and total vesicle content were greater in presynaptic axon terminals, suggesting that EPO enhances oxidative metabolism and synaptic transmission capabilities. Behavioural tests of hippocampus-dependent memory at early adulthood, showed that EPO improves spatial and short-term memory. Collectively, we identify a role for EPO in the murine postnatal hippocampus by promoting mitochondrial function throughout early postnatal development, which corresponds to enhanced cognition by early adulthood.

Injuries that occur early in life are often at the root of adult illness. Neonatal maternal separation (NMS) is a form of early life stress that has persistent and sex-specific effects on the development of neural networks, including those that regulate breathing. The release of stress hormones during a critical period of development contributes to the deleterious consequences of NMS, but the role of increased corticosterone (CORT) in NMS-induced respiratory disturbance is unknown. Because erythropoietin (EPO) is a potent neuroprotectant that prevents conditions associated with hyperactivation of the stress neuroaxis in a sex-specific manner, we hypothesized that EPO reduces the sex-specific alteration of respiratory regulation induced by NMS in adult mice. Animals were either raised under standard conditions (controls) or exposed to NMS 3 h/day from postnatal days 3-12. We tested the efficacy of EPO in preventing the effects of NMS by comparing wild-type mice with transgenic mice that overexpress EPO only in the brain (Tg21). In 7-days-old pups, NMS augmented CORT levels ~2.5-fold by comparison with controls but only in males; this response was reduced in Tg21 mice. Respiratory function was assessed using whole-body plethysmography. Apneas were detected during sleep; the responsiveness to stimuli was measured by exposing mice to hypoxia (10% O-2; 15 min) and hypercapnia (5% CO2; 10 min). In wild-type, NMS increased the number of apneas and the hypercapnic ventilatory response (HcVR) only in males; with no effect on Tg21. In wild-type males, the incidence of apneas was positively correlated with HcVR and inversely related to the tachypneic response to hypoxia. We conclude that neural EPO reduces early life stress-induced respiratory disturbances observed in males.

New Findings What is the central question of this study? Does progesterone reduce the effect of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) on arterial blood pressure, respiratory control and oxidative stress in the central nervous system in ovariectomized rats? What is the main finding and its importance? Progesterone does not prevent the elevation of arterial blood pressure in rats exposed to CIH, but normalizes respiratory control, and reduces cerebral oxidative stress. This study draws focus to a potential role of progesterone and the consequences of sleep apnoea in menopausal women. AbstractWe tested the hypothesis that progesterone (Prog) reduces the effect of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) on arterial blood pressure, respiratory chemoreflexes and oxidative stress in the central nervous system. Ovariectomized female rats were implanted with osmotic pumps delivering vehicle (Veh) or Prog (4 mg kg−1 day−1). Two weeks following the surgery, rats were exposed to room air (Air) or CIH (7 days, 10% O2, 10 cycles h−1, 8 h day−1). We studied three groups: Veh–Air, Veh–CIH and Prog–CIH. After the CIH exposures, we measured the mean arterial pressure (MAP; tail cuff) and assessed the frequency of apnoeas at rest and ventilatory responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia (whole body plethysmography). The activities of the pro‐oxidant enzyme NADPH oxidase (NOX) and antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD; in mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), as well as the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation, were measured in brain cortex and brainstem samples. CIH exposure increased the MAP, the frequency of apnoeas, and the respiratory frequency response to hypoxia and hypercapnia. Prog did not prevent the CIH‐induced elevation in MAP, but it reduced the CIH‐induced frequency of apnoeas and increased hypoxic and hypercapnic ventilatory responses. In the brain cortex, CIH increased NOX activity, and decreased the cytosolic and mitochondrial SOD activities. These effects were prevented by Prog. NOX activity was increased by CIH in the brainstem, and this was also blocked by Prog. The study draws focus to the links between ovarian hormones and the consequences of sleep apnoea in women.

Thickening of the airway smooth muscle is central to bronchial hyperreactivity. We have shown that the sphingosine analog (R)-2-amino-4-(4-heptyloxyphenyl)-2-methylbutanol (AAL-R) can reverse preestablished airway hyperreactivity in a chronic asthma model. Because sphingosine analogs can be metabolized by SPHK2 (sphingosine kinase 2), we investigated whether this enzyme was required for AAL-R to perturb mechanisms sustaining airway smooth muscle cell proliferation. We found that AAL-R pretreatment reduced the capacity of live airway smooth muscle cells to use oxygen for oxidative phosphorylation and increased lactate dehydrogenase activity. We also determined that SPHK2 was upregulated in airway smooth muscle cells bearing the proliferation marker Ki67 relative to their Ki67-negative counterpart. Comparing different stromal cell subsets of the lung, we found that high SPHK2 concentrations were associated with the ability of AAL-R to inhibit metabolic activity assessed by conversion of the tetrazolium dye MTT. Knockdown or pharmacological inhibition of SPHK2 reversed the effect of AAL-R on MTT conversion, indicating the essential role for this kinase in the metabolic perturbations induced by sphingosine analogs. Our results support the hypothesis that increased SPHK2 levels in proliferating airway smooth muscle cells could be exploited to counteract airway smooth muscle thickening with synthetic substrates.

Abstract It is increasingly evident that mitochondria are crucial in regulating neurodevelopment, brain function and cognition. Erythropoietin (EPO) has been shown to improve mitochondrial function and cognition following brain damage and in patients with neurological disorders. However, potential EPO-mediated influence(s) on hippocampal mitochondrial function during postnatal development and it corresponds to enhanced cognition is unknown. Here we show in mice, that EPO receptors (EpoR)s express postnatally in the CA1 pyramidal cells of the hippocampus reaching a zenith at puberty (postnatal (P) age 21). Constitutive neuronal EPO overexpression increases hippocampal Erk1/2 and AKT phosphorylation along with increases in cellular respiration and mitochondrial content by the third postnatal week of development. Indices of cellular oxidant balance do not appear altered by higher respiratory potentials and greater mitochondrial content. Finally, EPO overexpression also enhances hippocampal-dependent learning and memory at early adulthood (P60). Collectively, this data identifies a novel function for EPO signaling, promoting improvements in hippocampal-specific mitochondrial function and cognition during postnatal development and early adulthood.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder, which etiology is still largely unknown. Overwhelming evidence indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction is a central factor in PD pathophysiology. Here we tested the hypothesis that the activity of complex I and II (NADH‐and FADH2‐linked mitochondrial respiration, respectively) in the substantia nigra are significantly decreased in PD. To test this hypothesis, we used two different mice models of PD: Mice that received a single unilateral intrastriatal injection of 1) 6‐OHDA (9μg ‐ a selective catecholaminergic neurotoxin), or 2) A53T‐α‐synuclein (5.62E12 GC/ml – a molecule that attenuates synaptic vesicle recycling and neurotransmitter release). Control groups were injected with vehicle (fluorescent protein). Mitochondrial oxygen consumption was evaluated by using our oxygraph‐2K system (O2k‐OROBOROS), in 2 mg weight of tissue permeabilized with saponin. Measurements were performed one week after treatment with 6‐OHDA, and five weeks after treatment with A53T‐α‐synuclein. Our preliminary results show that, compared to control animals, substrates of complex I (Pyruvate/Glutamate/Malate), in the presence of ADP (state 3 complex I), induced a reduced oxygen consumption in mice treated with 6‐OHDA,(50.65 ± 2 vs 78 ±3 pmol O2/s/mg tissue, p<0.001). Inline, compared to control animals, oxygen consumption in state 3 complex I, was significantly reduced in mice treated with α‐synuclein (31.05 ± 5 vs 43.56 ± 2 pmol O2/s/mg tissue, p<0.05). Moreover, oxygen consumption in the presence of substrates of the mitochondrial complex II (succinate – state 3‐complex II), was also significantly reduced after treatment with α‐synuclein (30.8 ± 4.5 vs 46.5 ± 5 pmol O2/s/mg tissue, p<0.05). No differences of oxygen consumption were found in the presence of PMG, but the absence of ADP (state 4 – mitochondrial membrane leak) with none of the treatments. We concluded that 6‐OHDA and α‐synuclein, two reliable models of PD, induce mitochondrial dysfunction by decreasing the activity of mitochondrial complexes I and II. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the mitochondrial dysfunction induced by PD, and open the avenue for alternative treatments aiming to avoid the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.Support or Funding InformationJorge Soliz is supported by the “Fonds de recherche du Quebec‐Santé” (FRQ‐S; FQ121919)

Executive summary – Box 1: In brief: Mitochondria and bioblasts .......................................... 2 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................. 8 2. Coupling states and rates in mitochondrial preparations ................................................................................... 8 2.1. Cellular and mitochondrial respiration ................................................................................................................. 8 2.1.1. Aerobic and anaerobic catabolism and ATP turnover Consortium Communication 2 of 44 Gnaiger E et al ― MitoEAGLE Task Group (2020) Bioenerg Commun 2020.1 2.1.2. Specification of biochemical dose and exposure 2.2. Mitochondrial preparations .................................................................................................................................... 10 2.3. Electron transfer pathways ..................................................................................................................................... 11 2.4. Respiratory coupling control .................................................................................................................................. 12 2.4.1. Coupling 2.4.2. Phosphorylation P» and P»/O2 ratio 2.4.3. Uncoupling 2.5. Coupling states and respiratory rates ................................................................................................................. 13 2.5.1. LEAK state 2.5.2. OXPHOS state 2.5.3. Electron transfer state 2.5.4. ROX state 2.5.5. Quantitative relations 2.5.6. The steady state 2.6. Classical terminology for isolated mitochondria ............................................................................................ 19 2.6.1. – 2.6.5. State 1 – State 5 2.7. Control and regulation .............................................................................................................................................. 21 3. What is a rate? – Box 2: Metabolic flows and fluxes: vectoral, vectorial, and scalar ............................. 21 4. Normalization of rate per sample................................................................................................................................. 23 4.1. Flow: per object ............................................................................................................................................................ 23 4.1.1. Count concentration 4.1.2. Flow per single object 4.2. Size-specific flux: per sample size .......................................................................................................................... 25 4.2.1. Mass concentration 4.2.2. Size-specific flux 4.3. Marker-specific flux: per mitochondrial content ............................................................................................. 26 4.3.1. Mitochondrial concentration and mitochondrial density 4.3.2. mt-Marker-specific flux 5. Normalization of rate per system ................................................................................................................................ 28 5.1. Flow: per chamber ...................................................................................................................................................... 28 5.2. Flux: per chamber volume ....................................................................................................................................... 28 5.2.1. System-specific flux 5.2.2. Advancement per volume 6. Conversion of units ............................................................................................................................................................ 30 7. Conclusions – Box 3: Recommendations for studies with mitochondrial preparations ...................... 31 References ............................................................................................................................................................................. 36 Authors (MitoEAGLE Task Group) – Author contributions .............................................................................. 41 Acknowledgements – Competing financial interests – Correspondence

It has long been thought that erythropoietin (Epo) is exclusively involved in erythropoiesis; now, it is known that EPO in mammal's brain plays key roles in the development, maintenance, protection, and repair of the nervous system. Also, EPO in mammals contributes to the efficient use of oxygen through the regulation of mitochondrial bioenergetic. Remarkably, a similar neuroprotective impact of recombinant human EPO (rhEPO) has been found in the brain of grasshoppers, raising questions about the evolutive origin of the EPO and its generic molecular function. The objective of this study is to show that the neuroprotective effect of rhEPO in insects involves the regulation of mitochondrial functions. The experiments were performed in crickets (Acheta domesticus). These insects were exposed under normoxia and hypoxia (5 days; 6% O2) conditions. Before experimentation, the animals were treated with EPO (30 IU/ml ‐ intra‐lymphatic injection) or PBS, as a control. The brains of the crickets were removed, and then we determined the mitochondrial respiration and production of mitochondrial ROS using our system oxygraphy ‐ 2K (ORORBOROS). Our results show that compares to normoxia; hypoxia significantly reduces mitochondrial respiration of complexes 1 and 1&2. On the other hand, the treatment of EPO in hypoxia, despite significantly increasing these parameters, does not recover the levels of mitochondrial respiration under normoxic conditions. In addition, the activity of complex IV (an indicator of the number of mitochondria) does not vary significantly between any of the treatments. Furthermore, we observed that while hypoxia did not significantly affect H2O2 production, the treatment with EPO increased ROS production under normoxic but not hypoxic conditions. Our data suggest that rhEPO regulates in some way the mitochondrial respiration and ROS production in the brain of crickets. Considering that insects appeared during a geological period (Cambrian explosion) in which the atmospheric O2 was increasing, which could cause great oxidative stress due to the change in the metabolism of these animals, this molecule would have appeared as a regulator of mitochondrial functions.

The occurrence of sleep apnea (SA) increases after menopause in women, which is partly related to the decreased levels of ovarian hormones. Because progesterone (Prog) is a neuroprotective hormone and a potent respiratory stimulant, we tested the hypothesis that Prog reduces the apnea frequency and the oxidative stress induced by IH. We used OVX female rats implanted with an osmotic pump delivering vehicle (OVX‐Veh) or prog (4mg/kg/day). Two weeks following the surgery, rats were exposed to room air (RA), or IH for 7 days (nadir 10% O2, 10 cycles/hour, 8 hours/day). We studied three groups: OVX‐Veh‐RA; OVX‐Veh‐IH; and OVX‐Prog‐IH. At the end of exposure period, we measured the mean arterial pressure (tail cuff) and assessed the frequency of apneas during sleep and the ventilatory responses to hypoxia using whole body plethysmography. The brain was quickly harvested to measure the activity of the pro‐oxidant enzyme NADPH oxidase (NOX), and the antioxidant enzymes (mitochondrial and cytosolic superoxide dismutase ‐ SOD) in the cerebral cortex and brainstem. IH exposure increased the mean arterial blood pressure, the frequency of apneas during sleep, and the hypoxic ventilatory response. Prog did not prevent the elevation of blood pressure, but effectively reduced the frequency of apneas during sleep and prevented the elevation of the hypoxic ventilatory response. In the cerebral cortex, IH increased NOX activity, and decreased the activity of the cytosolic and mitochondrial SOD, these effects were prevented by Prog. None of these enzyme activities were altered by IH or Prog supplementation in the brainstem. We conclude that Prog prevents the respiratory alterations induced by IH, and reduces oxidative stress in the brain cortex. These studies are useful to better understand the responses to IH and sleep apnea in women particularly after menopause.Support or Funding InformationSupported by CIHR.

We tested the hypothesis that Epo (Erythropoietin) protects newborns against the consequences of IH induced by apnea of prematurity (AoP). As caffeine (despite ineffective in about 50% of cases) is the treatment of choice of AoP, the effect of Epo and caffeine was compared. Male and female newborn rats exposed to IH during postnatal days (P) 3–10 were used in this work. During this time, animals were daily gavage with vehicle, Epo, caffeine, and Epo+caffeine (10–12 pups/group). At P10 the frequency of apneas and mean duration of apnea at rest were measured (as index of respiratory dysfunction induced by IH) plethysmography. Next, the hippocampus, cortex, and brainstem were harvested, and the activity of Superoxide‐Dismutase (SOD – major anti‐oxidant), Glutathion peroxydase (GPx) and NADPH oxidase (NOX – major pro‐oxidant) enzymes were evaluated. Our results showed that IH increased the frequency of apnea and mean duration of apnea in male and female, reduced SOD anf GPx activity, but increased NOX activity. Interestingly, Epo and caffeine significantly reduced apnea frequency, but only Epo efficiently restored the oxidant activity to normal levels. Moreover, the administration of Epo and caffeine together provided cumulative beneficial effects in reducing the apneic episodes in male and female pups. We conclude that Epo and caffeine activate different, but complementary mechanisms to decrease apneas, suggesting that combined Epo+caffeine treatment could be clinically relevant against AoP. Support or Funding Information Founded by CIHR, Région Rhône alpes and consulat de France à Québec. This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal .

Immaturity of the brainstem network system that controls breathing leads to apnea of prematurity (AoP). While AoP is a developmental (and thus self‐resolving) disorder, it is not the apnea but the associated decrease of arterial oxygen levels (Intermittent Hypoxemia ‐ IH) what is detrimental for neural maturation. IH induces mitochondrial dysfunction, increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and oxidative stress, thus promoting higher breathing instability, delayed neural maturation and prolonged hospitalization. We hypothesized that the mitochondrial‐targeted antioxidant drug MitoTEMPO, by restoring mitochondrial dysfunction, protects newborns against the consequences of IH induced by AoP. Moreover, keeping in mind that male sex is an important risk factor for several respiratory diseases in preterm neonates experiments were performed in male and female newborn rats exposed to IH during postnatal days (P) 3–10. During this time, animals were daily injected (i.p.) with vehicle or MitoTEMPO (10–12 pups/group). At P10 the frequency of apneas at rest were measured (as an index of respiratory dysfunction) by plethysmography. Next, the cortex tissue was collected, and a high‐resolution Oxygraph‐2k was used to evaluate the mitochondrial bioenergetics and ROS (H2O2) production using saponin‐permeabilized tissue punches of 1.5–3 mg weight. Our preliminary results obtained in male animals showed that mitoTEMPO: 1) restored the IH‐mediated increase of apneic events, 2) restored the IH‐mediated decrease of mitochondrial respiration of complex I (NADH‐linked respiration), and complex II (FADH2‐linked respiration), and 3) decreased the IH‐mediated increase of mitochondrial H2O2. Surprisingly, no impact of IH and/or the treatment with mitoTEMPO was observed in female animals. We conclude that neonatal IH leads to respiratory disturbances in male animals only. Moreover, our results suggest that antioxidant drugs may be used as new therapeutical tools for apnea of prematurity in males.Support or Funding InformationJorge Soliz is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR – Catalyst grant sex as a variable in biomedical research‐IC118777). The salary of Jorge Soliz is supported by Laval University. The Canadian Foundation for Innovations (FCI – 32986) supported the acquisition of state‐of‐the art equipment in Jorge Soliz lab.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Apnea of prematurity (AoP) is associated with severe and repeated episodes of arterial oxygen desaturation (intermittent hypoxia - IH), which in turn increases the number of apneas. So far, there is no data addressing whether IH leads to sex-specific respiratory consequences, neither if drugs targeting AoP are more effective in males or females. We used rat pups for investigating whether IH-mediated increase of apneas is sex-specific. We also tested whether caffeine (treatment of choice of AoP), erythropoietin (Epo - a neuroprotective factor and potent respiratory stimulant), and combination of both (caffeine +Epo) prevent the IH-mediated formation of apneas in a sex-dependent manner. Newborn rats exposed to IH (21% - 10% FIO2-8 h a day - 10 cycles per hour) during postnatal days (P) 3-10 were used in this work. Animals were administered drug vehicle, Epo, caffeine and Epo + caffeine (daily from P3 to P10) gavage. At P10 the frequency of apneas at rest (as an index of respiratory dysfunction induced by IH), and respiratory parameters were measured by plethysmography. Our results showed that IH significantly increases the number of apneas in male but not in female rat pups. Moreover, caffeine and Epo in males similarly prevented the increase of apneas induced by IH, and the administration of both drugs together did not provide a cumulative beneficial effect. No impact of drugs was evidenced in females. Apart from apneas, IH increased the normoxic basal ventilation (ventilation at rest) of male animals, and treatments did not prevent such alteration. Besides, no IH- nor treatment-mediated modulation of basal ventilation was found in the basal ventilation of female animals. Analysis of the activity of pro- and antioxidative molecules revealed that IH induces oxidative stress in the brainstem of male and female animals and that all tested treatments similarly prevented such oxidative imbalance in pups of both sexes. We concluded that neonatal IH and the treatments tested to prevent its respiratory consequences are sex-specific. The mechanics associated with such prevention are directly linked with the prevention of oxidative stress and the maturation of the brain. These findings are relevant to understanding better the AoP disorder and for proposing Epo as a new therapeutical tool.

AIM:Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) induces systemic (hypertension) and central alterations (mitochondrial dysfunction underlying cognitive deficits). We hypothesized that agonists of oestradiol receptors (ER) α and β prevent CIH-induced hypertension and brain mitochondrial dysfunction.METHODS:Ovariectomized female rats were implanted with osmotic pumps delivering vehicle (Veh), the ERα agonist propylpyraoletriol (PPT - 30 μg/kg/day) or the ERβ agonist diarylpropionitril (DPN - 100 μg/kg/day). Animals were exposed to CIH (21%-10% FI O2 - 10 cycles/hour - 8 hours/day - 7 days) or normoxia. Arterial blood pressure was measured after CIH or normoxia exposures. Mitochondrial respiration and H2 O2 production were measured in brain cortex with high-resolution respirometry, as well as activity of complex I and IV of the electron transport chain, citrate synthase, pyruvate, and lactate dehydrogenase (PDH and LDH).RESULTS:Propylpyraoletriol but not DPN prevented the rise of arterial pressure induced by CIH. CIH exposures decreased O2 consumption, complex I activity, and increased H2 O2 production. CIH had no effect on citrate synthase activity, but decreased PDH activity and increased LDH activity indicating higher anaerobic glycolysis. Propylpyraoletriol and DPN treatments prevented all these alterations.CONCLUSIONS:We conclude that in OVX female rats, the ERα agonist prevents from CIH-induced hypertension while both ERα and ERβ agonists prevent the brain mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic switch induced by CIH. These findings may have implications for menopausal women suffering of sleep apnoea regarding hormonal therapy.

We tested the hypothesis that ERβ is involved in respiratory control in female mice. We used young adult (5-6 months-old) and aged (17-18 months-old) ERβKO or wild-type controls (WT) female mice to assess arterial blood pressure (via a tail-cuff sensor) and indices of respiratory pattern (sighs and apneas - recorded by whole body plethysmography at rest). We also measured respiratory parameters at rest and in response to brief (<10 min) exposure to hypoxia (12% O2) or hypercapnia (5% CO2). Because ERβ is localized in mitochondria, and because estradiol and ERβ agonist increase mitochondrial O2 consumption, we assessed the mitochondrial respiration (with a high-resolution oxygraph system) and the in vitro activity of the complex I of the electron transfer chain in samples of brain cortex in aged wild-type and ERβKO female mice. Compared to young WT mice, young ERβKO mice had elevated arterial blood pressure, but similar ventilatory responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia. In old ERβKO female mice compared to old WT mice, the arterial blood pressure was lower, the frequency of sighs was higher and the frequency of apneas was lower, and the hypoxic and hypercapnic ventilatory responses were reduced. In old ERβKO mice mitochondrial respiration and complex I activities in the brain cortex were lower than in WT mice. We conclude that ERβ has age-specific effects on vascular and respiratory functions in female mice.