[The possible role of adrenomedullin in adaption to high altitude]

Diuresis and natriuresis are well-known responses to acute hypoxic exposure. Even though there have been many studies on the hormonal regulation of the hypoxic diuretic response (HDR), most of the fluid-regulating hormones showed no consistent correlation to HDR. The pathophysiology of high altitude related syndromes was often seen to be linked to an impairment of volume regulating processes. Adrenomedullin (AM) is a recently discovered polypeptide with diuretic, natriuretic and vasodilatory properties whose production is basically mediated by hypoxia. As yet, little is known about the action of AM under hypoxic conditions in vivo. We present evidence that AM may play a role in the physiology and pathophysiology of human adaption to high altitude.