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Supramaximal Intensity Hypoxic Exercise and Vascular Function Assessment in Mice
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The cortisol response to hypobaric hypoxia at rest and post-exercise.

D R Woods1, A Davison, M Stacey

  • 1Northumbria and Newcastle NHS Trusts, Royal Victoria Infirmary and Wansbeck General, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. DoctorDRWoods@aol.com

Hormone and Metabolic Research = Hormon- Und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones Et Metabolisme
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Summary

High altitude exposure can alter cortisol levels. This study found resting cortisol increases at 5150m, but the cortisol response to trekking appears suppressed at 4270m.

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Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Altitude Physiology
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • High altitude exposure typically causes natriuresis and diuresis.
  • Acute mountain sickness is linked to fluid retention, potentially influenced by elevated cortisol.
  • Existing research shows increased resting cortisol with altitude, but limited data exists on cortisol responses during trekking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To measure salivary cortisol levels during ascent to over 5000m in a large cohort.
  • To investigate the cortisol response to a 6-hour trek at high altitude.
  • To explore associations between cortisol levels, acute mountain sickness, and oxygen saturation.

Main Methods:

  • Salivary cortisol was measured in 42-45 subjects during ascent and in 15-20 subjects at rest.
  • Samples were collected in the morning (resting) and afternoon (post-trek).
  • Altitude levels included 1300m, 3400m, 4270m, and 5150m.

Main Results:

  • Resting morning cortisol showed a significant rise between 4270m and 5150m (p=0.002).
  • Post-exercise cortisol decreased from 3400m to 4270m (p=0.001) and then significantly increased from 4270m to 5150m (p<0.001).
  • No significant link was found between acute mountain sickness severity and cortisol levels, but a weak correlation existed between post-exercise cortisol at 5150m and oxygen saturation (rho=-0.451, p=0.004).

Conclusions:

  • This study confirms elevated resting morning cortisol at altitudes above 5000m.
  • A novel finding is the suppressed cortisol response to trekking at 4270m.
  • The cortisol response to high altitude trekking requires further investigation.