Premium
Metabolomic analysis of plasma from hibernating and active ground squirrels
Author(s) -
Nelson Clark J.,
Carey Hannah V.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a1400-d
Subject(s) - torpor , hibernation (computing) , biology , phenotype , ground squirrel , rodent , zoology , ecology , physiology , hypothermia , gene , biochemistry , thermoregulation , state (computer science) , algorithm , computer science
Mammals that hibernate survive seasonal food shortages by using extended periods of torpor to conserve energy. The hibernation phenotype is associated with resilience to several physiological challenges, such as hypoxia, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and obesity. Thirteen‐lined ground squirrels ( Spermophilus tridecemlineatus ) during interbout arousals (IBA) within the hibernation season have enhanced resistance to a hypovolemic challenge relative to summer‐active (SA) squirrels or rats at the same body temperature. To better understand the molecular mechanisms of this resistance and provide insight into the hibernation phenotype in general, plasma from IBA and SA squirrels was analyzed by LC‐MS. Using accurate mass and chromatographic retention time information, thousands of features were characterized. Several identified features differed significantly between IBA and SA squirrels. These include certain peroxidized lipids that were enriched in IBA relative to SA, whereas SA squirrels had higher enrichment of certain amino acids, vitamins and other nutrients. This approach permits a molecular characterization of the hibernation phenotype in ground squirrels and will provide candidate molecules responsible for hibernation‐induced protection. Supported by DARPA W81XWH‐05‐02‐0016.