Objective    To observe the effect of taurine on expression of HIF-1α and HIF-1β in the intestinal tissue of rats exposed to hypobaric hypoxia.     Methods    Totally 208 adult SD rats  were randomly divided to raise at 500-meter

simulated 4 500-meter and simulated 5 000-meter altitude

and subdivided by forage: taurine supplementation (intervention) or normal forage (control). After taurine nutritional intervention for 7 d

the rats were respectively exposed to 500-meter

simulated 4 500-meter and 5 500-meter altitude. The expressions of HIF-1α and HIF-1β in the intestinal tissues were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting in 2

6

12

24

48

72 h after exposure to hypoxia.     Results    After exposure to hypoxia simulated in hypobaric chamber

the expressions of HIF-1α and HIF-1β in intestinal tissues increased obviously

peaked at 12 h after hypoxia

then declined. They were higher in taurine supplementation rats at each time point than that in control rats.     Conclusion    Taurine nutritional intervention can increase the expressions of HIF-1α and HIF-1β in the intestinal tissues of rats exposed to simulated high-altitude hypoxia.