Enhanced hypoxic ventilatory response is accompanied by a decrease in carotid body mitochondrial oxygen affinity in heart failure

In a rapid pacing ovine model of heart failure, hypoxic ventilatory response and sympathetic drive increase while carotid body complex IV oxygen affinity decreases.

• Why it matters: Carotid bodies are key peripheral oxygen sensors linked to sympathetic overdrive in heart failure, but their mitochondrial oxygen-sensing mechanism and ROS involvement are not well defined.
• What they did: The study measured hypoxic ventilatory response and autonomic function before and after heart failure induction, then used high-resolution respirometry on carotid body homogenates to quantify mitochondrial oxygen affinity, respiration, and H2O2 production rates.
• The result: Heart failure showed decreased complex IV oxygen affinity and increased aconitase activity and lipid peroxidation, despite unchanged mitochondrial respiration and H2O2 production, suggesting altered carotid body mitochondrial function and oxidative stress.

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