Metabolic changes through hypoxia in humans and in yeast as a comparable cell model

In several investigations on mountaineers under moderate hypoxia, at altitudes between 2,500 m and 4,500 m, weight loss occurs, fat levels in the serum and insulin resistance (in diabetic mountaineers) are reduced. Animal studies with different time dosage regimens of hypoxia in animal cages revealed different and partly confusing results regarding fat metabolism under hypoxia.

Hypothesis for the change in glucose and fat metabolism include a HIF promoted higher leptin rate under hypoxia and an increased glucose transport in peripheral organs.

This short review discusses some of the different investigations in this topic. In a second part it is shown how studies of metabolism in yeast cells with an upregulated glycolysis in the cell itself under hypoxic conditions could help to better understand metabolic changes under hypoxia.