ABSTRACT
Background
Field studies have reported conflicting results regarding changes in biomarkers at
high altitude. This study measured temporal changes in biomarkers and compared the
differences between individuals with and without acute mountain sickness (AMS).
Materials and Methods
This study included 34 nonacclimatized healthy participants. Ten-milliliters of blood
were collected at four time points: 3 days before ascent (T0), on two successive nights
at 3150 m (T1 and T2), and 2 days after descent (T3). Participants were transported
by bus from 555 m to 3150 m within 3 hours. AMS was diagnosed using the self-reported
Lake Louise Scoring (LLS) questionnaire.
Results
Compared with T0, significant increases in E-selectin and decreases in vascular endothelial
growth factor (VEGF) levels were observed at high altitude. Significantly increased
C-reactive protein (CRP), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and S100 calcium-binding
protein B (S100B) levels were observed at T2, and significantly decreased vascular
cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) levels were observed at T3. Eighteen (53%) participants
developed AMS. Changes in E-selectin, CRP, MCP-1, and S100B levels were independent
of AMS. Relative to individuals without AMS, those with AMS had significantly higher
atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and VCAM-1 levels and lower plasminogen activator
inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels at T1 and higher brain natriuretic peptide and lower VEGF
and PAI-1 levels at T3. LLSs were positively correlated with ANP and VCAM-1 levels
and negatively correlated with PAI-1 levels measured at T1.
Conclusions
After acute ascent, individuals with and without AMS exhibited different trends in
biomarkers associated with endothelial cell activation and natriuretic peptides.
Key Indexing Terms
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
March 8,
2023
Received:
April 5,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Journal Pre-ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2023 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of Southern Society for Clinical Investigation.
