A total of 42 newborn piglets were randomized into four study arms: 1. hypoxia-normoxic reoxygenation, 2. hypoxia-3 minutes of hyperoxic reoxygenation, 3. hypoxia-30 minutes of hyperoxic reoxygenation, and 4. sham-operated controls. Expression of the lncRNAs BDNF-AS, H19, MALAT1, ANRIL, TUG1, PANDA and related target genes VEGFA, BDNF, TP53, HIF1alpha, and TNFalpha were assessed in cortex, hippocampus, white matter, and cerebellum by qPCR and Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR).
The overall aim of this study was to explore the lncRNAs expression changes involved in the regulation of the oxidative stress response in perinatal asphyxia using a piglet model. Our results of different brain regions exhibited that the exposure to hypoxia causes significant alteration of expression in various lncRNAs, mainly in the cortex and hippocampus. Even a short exposure to 100% oxygen for 3 minutes caused expression changes in the lncRNAs, providing further evidence for oxidative brain injury caused by hyperoxic reoxygenation in newborns.