Volume 6,Issue 4
Research on Restoration Strategies for Human Body Functions Due to Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in High-Altitude Hypoxia
High-altitude hypoxia can cause dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and disrupt its functional equilibrium. Subsequently, the gut microbiota causes multi-organ dysfunction due to “gut-organ axis” disruption. This review discusses the mechanisms underlying high-altitude hypoxia-induced gut microbiota and body dysfunction. The study systematically discusses the possible effects and applications of microbiota-focused therapeutic approaches, such as nutrition, probiotics/prebiotics, traditional Chinese medicine, and scientific exercise training, for maintaining gut microbiota homeostasis and bodily function. Finally, the study discusses future research directions focused on personalized intervention technologies to protect health at high altitude.
[1] Qiu F, Sun Y, Li W, et al., 2025, A Review on Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes, Transporters, and Gut Microbiota on Pharmacokinetics in High-Altitude Environment. Current Drug Metabolism, 25(10): 719–733.
[2] Li W, Wang Y, Shi Y, et al., 2024, The Gut Microbiota Mediates Memory Impairment under High-Altitude Hypoxia via the Gut–Brain Axis in Mice. The FEBS Journal, 292(4): 809–826.
[3] Wang J, Wang H, Li C, et al., 2025, Comprehensive Study of Tilapia Skin Collagen Peptide on Ileal Injury and Intestinal Flora in Rats Induced by High-Altitude Hypoxia. Journal of Functional Foods, 124: 106634–106634.
[4] Ma Q, Ma J, Cui J, et al., 2023, Oxygen Enrichment Protects against Intestinal Damage and Gut Microbiota Disturbance in Rats Exposed to Acute High-Altitude Hypoxia. Frontiers in Microbiology, 14: 1268701–1268701.
[5] Zhang J, Sun Y, He J, et al., 2023, Comprehensive Investigation of the Influence of High-Altitude Hypoxia on Clopidogrel Metabolism and Gut Microbiota. Current Drug Metabolism, 24(10): 723–733.
[6] Liao Y, Chen Z, Yang Y, et al., 2023, Antibiotic Intervention Exacerbated Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Responses in SD Rats under Hypobaric Hypoxia Exposure. Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 209(P1): 70–83.
[7] Li B, Xu Y, Wang D, et al., 2025, High-Altitude Acute Hypoxia Endurance and Comprehensive Lung Function in Pilots. Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance, 96(3): 191–97.
[8] Coronel-Oliveros C, Medel V, Whitaker G A, et al., 2024, Elevating Understanding: Linking High-Altitude Hypoxia to Brain Aging through EEG Functional Connectivity and Spectral Analyses. Network Neuroscience, 8(1): 18.
[9] Liu G, Bai X, Yang J, 2023, Relationship between Blood–Brain Barrier Changes and Drug Metabolism under High-Altitude Hypoxia: Obstacle or Opportunity for Drug Transport? Drug Metabolism Reviews, 55(1–4): 107–125.
[10] Storz J, Scott G, 2019, Life Ascending: Mechanism and Process in Physiological Adaptation to High-Altitude Hypoxia. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, 50(1): 503–526.
[11] Chicco A, Le C, Gnaiger E, et al., 2018, Adaptive Remodeling of Skeletal Muscle Energy Metabolism in High-Altitude Hypoxia: Lessons from AltitudeOmics. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 293(18): RA117.000470.
[12] Cao W, Zeng Y, Su Y, et al., 2024, The Involvement of Oxidative Stress and the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 Pathway in Acute Lung Injury Induced by High-Altitude Hypoxia. Immunobiology, 229(3): 152809.