Oxidative Stress and HIF-1 DNA Binding during Stressful Cold Exposure and Recovery in the North Sea Eelpout (Zoarces viviparus).

HEISE K., PUNTARULO S., NIKINMAA M., LUCANSSEN M., PÖRTNER H.O. Y ABELE A.

Comp Biochem Physiol A

Elsevier Inc

Año: 2006 vol. 43 p. 494 - 503

Effects of acute cold exposure (at 1°C and 5°C) on tissue redox state and oxidative stress parameters, as well as the onset of hypoxic signaling were investigated in the North Sea eelpout, Zoarces viviparus. Activation of the transcription factor HIF-1 (hypoxia inducible factor) was detected in liver samples after acute cold exposure. At this temperature the cellular redox milieu was significantly reduced (below -270 mV) as compared to controls (-250 to -267 mV). Increased levels of oxidative stress parameters (TBARS and protein carbonyls) were observed mainly during recovery at control temperature (12°C). This increase in oxidative stress parameters, in spite of maintained antioxidant capacity, indicates that acute cold stress and recovery mimic ischemia/reperfusion events as found in mammals. Notably the non-enzymatic antioxidant defense (e.g. glutathione) may play an important role for eelpout ROS scavenging capacity under cold stress.