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Updated: May 9, 2026
Experimental Approach to Examine Leptin Signaling in the Carotid Bodies and its Effects on Control of Breathing
Published on: October 25, 2019
Plasma leptin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in normal subjects at high altitude (5050 m)
G Morici1, A Bonanno, A Licciardi
1Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neuroscience (BIONeC), University of Palermo , Italy .
Context:
High altitude (HA) is a model of severe hypoxia exposure in humans. We hypothesized that nocturnal hypoxemia or acute maximal exercise at HA might affect plasma leptin and VEGF levels.
Objectives:
Plasma leptin, VEGF and other metabolic variables were studied after nocturnal pulse oximetry and after maximal exercise in healthy lowlanders on the 3rd-4th day of stay in Lobuche (5050 m, HA) and after return to sea level (SL).
Results:
Leptin was similar at SL or HA in both pre- and post-exercise conditions. Pre-exercise VEGF at HA was lower, and cortisol was higher, than at SL, suggesting that nocturnal intermittent hypoxia associated with periodic breathing at HA might affect these variables.
Conclusions:
Leptin levels appear unaffected at HA, whereas nocturnal hypoxic stress may affect plasma VEGF. Future HA studies should investigate the possible role of nocturnal intermittent hypoxemia on metabolism.
