Metabolic remodelling of mice by hypoxic-hypercapnic environment: imitating the naked mole-rat

We hypothesised that hypoxic-hypercapnic environment (HHE) could induce metabolic suppression and associated benefits for health and longevity, as observed in the naked-mole rat (NMR). We developed a model of self-produced HHE (similar to a natural habitat of NMRs), which is simple, reliable and natural, and does not require external sources of gases or complex technical equipment. Here, we showed for the first time that a chronic exposure of mice to HHE could be a unique tool for NMR-like metabolic remodeling, resulting in a long-term and substantial decrease in metabolic rate, body temperature, and food consumption, without significant changes in expression of stress-related genes. Unexpectedly, the HHE accelerated skin wound healing, despite the lower energy expenditure. The self-produced HHE could be considered a model of voluntary calorie restriction. All in all, a chronic exposure to HHE offers a potential of being a lifespan-extending intervention as well as an efficient tool for treating the overweight and associated metabolic disorders.