Disease mechanisms which can be modelled with experimental hypoxia
Experimental hypoxia models have been used to study the mechanisms underlying kidney dysfunction. Hypoxia, or reduced oxygen availability, can occur in various renal diseases due to impaired blood flow, ischemia, or inadequate oxygenation [99]. Hypoxia can trigger cellular responses, including the activation of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), which play a crucial role in adaptive mechanisms to maintain cellular homeostasis under low-oxygen conditions [100]. Experimental hypoxia models can simulate and study the impact of reduced oxygen levels on kidney cells and tissues, providing insights into the molecular and cellular responses involved in renal hypoxia-related diseases.
Furthermore, experimental hypoxia models allow researchers to investigate the effects of hypoxia on renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, tubular function, and electrolyte handling. These models can simulate renal ischemia-reperfusion injury, a common cause of acute kidney injury, and elucidate the mechanisms underlying renal tissue damage, inflammation, and impaired renal function in hypoxic conditions.