Effect of chronic intermittent hypoxia on the expression of Nip3, cell apoptosis, β-amyloid protein

Background Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) is the most important pathophysiologic feature of sleep apnea syndrome (SAS). To explore the relationship between SAS and dementia, the effects of CIH on the expression of Nip3, neuron apoptosis andβ-amyloid protein deposit in the brain cortex of the frontal lobe of mice were evaluated in this study. Methods Thirty male ICR mice were divided into four groups: control group (A, n=-10, sham hypoxia/reoxygenation), 2 weeks CIH group (B, n=-5), 4 weeks CIH group (C, n=-5), and 8 weeks CIH group (D, n=10). The ICR mice were placed in a chamber and exposed to intermittent hypoxia (oxygen concentration changed periodically from (21.72±0.55)% to (6.84±0.47)% every two minutes, eight hours per day). Neuron apoptosis of the cortex of the frontal lobe was detected by means of terminal deoxy-nucleotidyl transferase-mediated in situ end labeling (TUNEL). Immunohistochemical staining was performed for measuring expression of Nip3 and β-amyloid protein. The ultrastructure of neurons was observed under a transmission electron microscope. Results TUNEL positive neurons in each square millimeter in the cortex of the frontal lobe were categorized by median or Ri into group A (1,5.5), group B (133, 13), group C (252, 21), and group D (318, 24). There were significant differences among the above four groups (P=0.000). The significance test was performed between the control group and each CIH group respectively: group A and B (P>0.05); group A and C (P