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Published on: March 15, 2019
Oxidative-nitrosative stress and systemic vascular function in highlanders with and without exaggerated hypoxemia.
Damian M Bailey1, Stefano F Rimoldi2, Emrush Rexhaj2
1Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Faculty of Health, Science and Sport, University of Glamorgan, Wales; Sondes Moléculaires en Biologie et Stress Oxydant, Institut de Chimie Radicalaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR 7273, Aix-Marseille University, France.
Chest
|August 28, 2012
Summary
Chronic mountain sickness (CMS) in highlanders is linked to sustained oxidative stress, which can impair vascular function. Moderate stress in healthy highlanders doesn't affect vascular health, but severe stress in CMS patients does.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Environmental Health
- Cardiovascular Science
Background:
- High altitude exposure triggers free radical formation in lowlanders.
- The persistence of this oxidative stress in chronically exposed highlanders, particularly those with chronic mountain sickness (CMS), is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sustained oxidative-nitrosative stress in highlanders with and without CMS.
- To assess the impact of this stress on vascular function.
Main Methods:
- Measured oxidative-nitrosative stress biomarkers (ascorbate radical and nitrite) in highlanders with (n=13) and without (n=12) CMS living at 3,600m.
- Assessed vascular function including flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), arterial stiffness (AIx-75), and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT).
- Compared findings with healthy lowlanders at sea level and during acute hypoxia.
Main Results:
- Healthy highlanders without CMS showed moderate oxidative stress, with preserved vascular function.
- Highlanders with CMS exhibited markedly elevated oxidative stress.
- CMS patients displayed significant vascular dysfunction, including reduced FMD and increased arterial stiffness and carotid IMT.
Conclusions:
- Healthy highlanders exhibit sustained, moderate oxidative stress without vascular impairment.
- Elevated oxidative-nitrosative stress in CMS patients is associated with systemic vascular dysfunction.
- This sustained stress may play a role in the pathophysiology of CMS-related vascular complications.
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