Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Muscle Recovery and Fatigue01:24

Muscle Recovery and Fatigue

5.0K
Muscle fatigue refers to the decline in a muscle's ability to maintain the force of contraction after prolonged activity. It primarily stems from changes within muscle fibers. Even before experiencing muscle fatigue, one may feel tired and have the urge to stop the activity. This response, known as central fatigue, occurs due to changes in the central nervous system, namely the brain and spinal cord. While there is no single mechanism that induces fatigue, it may serve as a protective...
5.0K
Mitochondria01:37

Mitochondria

21.5K
Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...
21.5K
Factors Affecting Respiration01:24

Factors Affecting Respiration

10.5K
Respiration is a crucial physiological function involving exchanging oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) between an organism and its environment. Various factors can impact this essential process:
10.5K
The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane01:28

The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane

5.1K
The inner mitochondrial membrane is the primary site of ATP synthesis. The inner membrane domain that forms a smooth layer adjacent to the outer membrane is called the inner boundary membrane. This domain contains membrane transporters that drive metabolites in and out of the mitochondria.  In contrast, the inner membrane network that invaginates into the matrix space is called the cristae membrane. This domain accounts for principle mitochondrial function as it accommodates the protein...
5.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Distinct descending and biomechanical influences on interlimb coordination in mice.

iScience·2026
Same author

Senescence-related myocardial dysfunction: keeping a young heart.

European heart journal·2026
Same author

Selective genetic targeting of the mouse efferent vestibular nucleus identifies monosynaptic inputs and indicates function as multimodal integrator.

Journal of neurophysiology·2026
Same author

Optimised measurement of mitochondrial respiratory capacity in frozen rat liver and heart.

Biochemical and biophysical research communications·2026
Same author

Ferric derisomaltose augments intrinsic skeletal muscle electron transport chain activity in heart failure: A FERRIC-HF II molecular substudy.

European journal of heart failure·2025
Same author

Precision Medicine: Therapeutically Targeting Mitochondrial Alterations in Heart Failure.

JACC. Basic to translational science·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Author Spotlight: Oxygen-Independent Assays to Measure Mitochondrial Function in Mammals
05:59

Author Spotlight: Oxygen-Independent Assays to Measure Mitochondrial Function in Mammals

Published on: May 19, 2023

3.7K

Mitochondrial function at extreme high altitude.

Andrew J Murray1, James A Horscroft1

  • 1Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.

The Journal of Physiology
|June 3, 2015
PubMed
Summary

High altitude exposure causes mitochondrial changes, including reduced volume and altered function, impacting aerobic capacity. These adaptations in muscle mitochondria may be key to acclimatization, even with preserved energy reserves.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Mitochondrial Function and Cellular Metabolic Adaptation in Metabolic Diseases
08:12

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Mitochondrial Function and Cellular Metabolic Adaptation in Metabolic Diseases

Published on: October 4, 2024

2.5K
High-Resolution Fluoro-Respirometry of Equine Skeletal Muscle
07:39

High-Resolution Fluoro-Respirometry of Equine Skeletal Muscle

Published on: February 3, 2023

1.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Author Spotlight: Oxygen-Independent Assays to Measure Mitochondrial Function in Mammals
05:59

Author Spotlight: Oxygen-Independent Assays to Measure Mitochondrial Function in Mammals

Published on: May 19, 2023

3.7K
Author Spotlight: Unveiling Mitochondrial Function and Cellular Metabolic Adaptation in Metabolic Diseases
08:12

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Mitochondrial Function and Cellular Metabolic Adaptation in Metabolic Diseases

Published on: October 4, 2024

2.5K
High-Resolution Fluoro-Respirometry of Equine Skeletal Muscle
07:39

High-Resolution Fluoro-Respirometry of Equine Skeletal Muscle

Published on: February 3, 2023

1.8K

Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Altitude Medicine
  • Mitochondrial Biology

Background:

  • High altitude reduces oxygen availability, impacting tissue oxygen delivery and aerobic capacity.
  • Acclimatization increases red blood cells but doesn't fully restore oxygen transport or aerobic function.
  • Mitochondrial adaptations are suspected but not fully understood in high-altitude dwellers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of high altitude on muscle mitochondrial structure and function.
  • To explore the role of mitochondrial remodeling in high-altitude acclimatization.
  • To understand the physiological responses to extreme altitude exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of muscle mitochondrial volume density and subsarcolemmal population.
  • Assessment of mitochondrial function, including electron transport chain complexes and fatty acid oxidation.
  • Measurement of mitochondrial biogenesis factors (e.g., PGC-1α) and creatine kinase expression.
  • Evaluation of cardiac and skeletal muscle energetics in climbers returning from extreme altitude.

Main Results:

  • Prolonged extreme high altitude (>5500 m) leads to decreased muscle mitochondrial volume density, particularly subsarcolemmal mitochondria.
  • Mitochondrial biogenesis factor PGC-1α levels decrease, similar to Tibetan highlanders.
  • Qualitative changes in mitochondrial function occur even at moderate altitudes, with downregulated electron transport chain complexes and decreased fatty acid oxidation.
  • Skeletal muscle energetics are preserved in climbers returning from Everest, suggesting mitochondrial remodeling is a key acclimatization strategy.

Conclusions:

  • Muscle mitochondrial remodeling, including reduced volume and altered function, is a significant adaptation to extreme high altitude.
  • These changes may represent a regulated acclimatization process, potentially mitigating oxidative stress and improving oxygen efficiency.
  • Preserved skeletal muscle energetics suggest that mitochondrial adaptations are crucial for maintaining function at high altitudes.