Abstract: Objective: To explore the effect of autophagy on proliferation activity and expression of apoptotic protein of genioglossus muscle satellite cells (GG MuSCs) in hypoxia condition. Methods: Male rat GG MuSCs were cultured in vitro. The non-toxic dose of chloroquine (CQ) was determined and the proliferation activity of GG MuSCs was detected by MTT assay. The GG MuSCs were divided into six groups: normoxia group, CQ(25μmol/L) plus normoxia group, hypoxia group, CQ(5μmol/L) plus hypoxia group, CQ(15μmol/L) plus hypoxia group and CQ(25μmol/L) plus hypoxia group. Western blot was used to examine the expression of LC3,caspase-3 and cytochrome c(Cyt c) protein. Results: In contrast with normoxia group, the ratio of LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ, caspase-3, Cyt c protein expression and the proliferation activity were increased in hypoxia group. After treatment with autophagy inhibitor CQ, the ratio of LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰprotein expression in CQ plus hypoxia group was higher than hypoxia group, which showed obviously dose-dependent effect. Meanwhile, the proliferation activity of CQ plus hypoxia group significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Hypoxia can induce the autophagy of GG MuSCs and enhance proliferation activity in hypoxia. Inhibition of autophagy can decrease proliferation activity and aggravate the expression of apoptotic protein. This suggests that autophagy may be a vital mechanism which protect the GG MuSCs from hypoxic damage.

Key words: Autophagy Hypoxia , Genioglossus muscle satellite cells, Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome