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Increased systemic low-grade inflammation in high altitude native rats mediated by adrenergic receptors
Fahaid H Al-Hashem1, Abdullah S Assiri, Abdullah S Shatoor
1Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Fax. +966 (17) 2418364.
Objective:
To compare the serum levels of inflammatory mediators in high altitude (HA) native rats, and to search for the possible underlying mechanism(s).
Methods:
The study was carried out between January and April 2013. Fifty male rats from the same genetic pool were bred at either a HA or low altitude (LA) area. The study was carried out in 2 stages. In the first stage, serum levels of inflammatory markers, adhesive molecules, lipid profiles, catecholamines, magnesium (Mg+2), and lipid peroxidation were compared between theses 2 groups. In the second stages, inflammatory response and lipid peroxidation were analyzed in HA native rats after treatment with either alpha (Prazosin) or beta (propranolol) adrenergic blockage.
Results:
The HA native rats showed significant increases in the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, lipid profiles, as well as a significant increase in the urinary norepinephrine with a concomitant decrease in the serum levels of Mg+2 and increased lipid peroxidation. Blockage of the beta and alpha adrenergic receptors of the HA rats caused partial or complete decreases in both inflammatory and oxidative stress mediators.
Conclusion:
Living under HA conditions results in an increased systemic inflammatory reaction; an effect that is mediated through the sympathetic nervous system mainly via alpha-adrenergic receptors and could be attributed to low Mg+2 levels.
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