Preconditioning to lowered oxygen levels (hypoxia) may occur when an animal is subjected to non-lethal levels of hypoxia and then returned to normoxic conditions. During a subsequent exposure to hypoxia, the pre-exposed animals may exhibit increased tolerance compared to naive animals. I have demonstrated, by analysis of critical PO2's (Pcrit), that zebrafish embryos can be preconditioned to hypoxia. Preconditioned embryos display a lower Pcrit than controls, indicating a heightened ability to endure hypoxic conditions. The role of the hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) in promoting hypoxic preconditioning was examined. To determine the role of HIF-1 in preconditioning, embryos deficient in HIF-1alpha (using antisense oligonucleotide morpholinos) were assessed under hypoxic conditions. No significant difference between preconditioning capacities of control- and HIF-1alpha deficient embryos was observed. In addition to assessing Pcrit, a suite of hypoxia responsive genes were analysed by real time PCR. IGFBP-2 showed a significant decrease in expression in the HIF-1alpha deficient embryos, and EPO showed a significant increase in HIF-1alpha deficient embryos. All other genes examined showed no significant change between treated and control embryos.

Periods of environmental hypoxia (Low Oxygen Availability) are extremely common in aquatic systems due to both natural causes such as diurnal oscillations in algal respiration, seasonal flooding, stratification, under ice cover in lakes, and isolation of densely vegetated water bodies, as well as more recent anthropogenic causes (e.g. eutrophication). In view of this, it is perhaps not surprising that among all vertebrates, fish boast the largest number of hypoxia tolerant species; hypoxia has clearly played an important role in shaping the evolution of many unique adaptive strategies. These unique adaptive strategies either allow fish to maintain function at low oxygen levels, thus extending hypoxia tolerance limits, or permit them to defend against the metabolic consequences of oxygen levels that fall below a threshold where metabolic functions cannot be maintained. The aim of this volume is two-fold. First, this book will review and synthesize the adaptive behavioural, morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular strategies used by fish to survive hypoxia exposure and place them within an environmental and ecological context. Second, through the development of a synthesis chapter this book will serve as the cornerstone for directing future research into the effects of hypoxia exposures on fish physiology and biochemistry. - The only single volume available to provide an in-depth discussion of the adaptations and responses of fish to environmental hypoxia - Reviews and synthesizes the adaptive behavioural, morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular strategies used by fish to survive hypoxia exposure - Includes discussion of the evolutionary and ecological consequences of hypoxia exposure in fish

Arterial chemoreceptors are unique structures which continuously monitor changes in arterial blood oxygen, carbon dioxide, glucose, and acid. Alterations in these gases are almost instantaneously sensed by arterial chemoreceptors and relayed into a physiological response which restores blood homeostasis. Arterial Chemoreception contains updated material regarding the physiology of the primary arterial chemoreceptor; the carotid body. Moreover, this book also explores tantalizing evidence regarding the contribution of the aortic bodies, chromaffin cells, lung neuroepithelial bodies, and brainstem areas involved in monitoring changes in blood gases. Furthermore this collection includes data showing the critical importance of these chemoreceptors in the pathophysiology of human disease and possible therapeutic treatments. This book is a required text for any researcher in the field of arterial chemoreception for years to come. It is also a critical text for physicians searching for bench-to-bedside treatments for heart failure, sleep apnea, and pulmonary hypertension.

This timely volume provides a comprehensive overview of glucocorticoids and their role in regulating many aspects of physiology and their use in the treatment of disease. The book is broken into four sections that begin by giving a general introduction to glucocorticoids and a brief history of the field. The second section will discuss the effects of glucocorticoids on metabolism, while the third section will cover the effects of glucocorticoids on key tissues. The final section will discuss general topics, such as animal models in glucocorticoid research and clinical implications of glucocorticoid research. Featuring chapters from leaders in the field, this volume will be of interest to both researchers and clinicians.

This book discusses oxidative stress and hormesis from the perspective of an evolutionary ecologist or physiologist. In the first of ten chapters, general historical information, definitions, and background of research on oxidative stress physiology, hormesis, and life history are provided. Chapters 2-10 highlight the different solutions that organisms have evolved to cope with the oxidative threats posed by their environments and lifestyles. The author illustrates how oxidative stress and hormesis have shaped diversity in organism life-histories, behavioral profiles, morphological phenotypes, and aging mechanisms. The book offers fascinating insights into how organisms work and how they evolve to sustain their physiological functions under a vast array of environmental conditions.

Pharmacoepigenetics provides a comprehensive volume on the role of epigenetics and epigenomics in drug discovery and development, providing a detailed, but accessible, view of the field, from basic principles, to applications in disease therapeutics. Leading international researchers from across academia, clinical settings and the pharmaceutical industry discuss the influence of epigenetics and epigenomics in human pathology, epigenetic biomarkers for disease prediction, diagnosis, and treatment, current epigenetic drugs, and the application of epigenetic procedures in drug development. Throughout the book, chapter authors offer a balanced and objective discussion of the future of pharmacoepigenetics and its crucial contribution to the growth of precision and personalized medicine. - Fully examines the influence of epigenetics and epigenomics in human pathology, epigenetic biomarkers for disease prediction, diagnosis, treatment, current epigenetic drugs and the application of epigenetic procedures in drug development - Features chapter contributions from leading international researchers in academia, clinical settings and the pharmaceutical industry - Instructs researchers, students and clinicians on how to better interpret and employ pharmacoepigenetics in drug development, efficiency and safety - Provides a balanced and objective discussion of the future of pharmacoepigenetics and its crucial role in precision medicine