A Computerized Evaluation of Sensory Memory and Short-term Memory Impairment After Rapid Ascent to 4280 m / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

To evaluate the effect of acute high-altitude exposure on sensory and short-term memory using interactive software, we transported 30 volunteers in a sport utility vehicle to a 4280 m plateau within 3 h. We measured their memory performance on the plain (initial arrival) and 3 h after arrival on the plateau using six measures. Memory performance was significantly poorer on the plateau by four of the six measures. Furthermore, memory performance was significantly poorer in the acute mountain sickness (AMS) group than in the non-AMS group by five of the six measures. These findings indicate that rapid ascent to 4280 m and remaining at this altitude for 3 h resulted in decreased sensory and short-term memory, particularly among participants who developed AMS.

Hydrogen Therapy Reduces Oxidative Stress-associated Risks Following Acute and Chronic Exposure to High-altitude Environment / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Low pressure, low oxygen concentration, and intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation in high-altitude environments, can cause oxidative stress which can trigger mountain sickness. A recent study demonstrated that hydrogen gas with a good permeability in biological membranes can treat various disorders by exerting its selective anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory effects, indicating that hydrogen therapy plays a role in scavenging free radicals and in balancing oxidation and anti-oxidation systems of cells. Therefore, we hypothesize that inhaling low-dose hydrogen or drinking hydrogen-saturated water is a novel and simple method to prevent and treat oxidative stress injury caused by low pressure, low oxygen concentration and intense UV radiation in plateaus, thus reducing the risk of mountain sickness.

Effects of huperzine A on acute hypobaric hypoxic-induced apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in rats / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of huperzine A on ameliorating acute hypobaric hypoxic-induced spatial learning and memory deficits, and on relieving the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in rats. Methods Forty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into four groups (12 each): the champaign (plain) group (control group), champaign+huperzine A group, high altitude group (simulated 6000m plateau) and high altitude+huperzine A group. One day before the decompression simulation experiment, rats in huperzine A-treated groups were given intragastrically with huperzine A suspension (10mg/ml) in a dose of 0.1mg/kg. The spatial learning and memory performance of rats in each group were tested by Morris Water Maze. The apoptosis of hippocampal neurons was determined by TUNEL. The expression of pro-apoptotic proteins (Bax) and anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl- 2) of hippocampus tissues were evaluated by Western blotting. Results Compared with those in high altitude group, significantly shortened escape latency (P<0.05), more platform crossing within 60s (P<0.05), longer retention time in target (P<0.05), lower rate of hippocampal neurons apoptosis (P<0.05), down-regulated expression of Bax (P<0.05) and up-regulated expression of Bcl- 2 (P<0.05) in the hippocampus tissues were found in the high altitude+huperzine A group. However, no significant difference in the above mentioned findings was found between high altitude+huperzine A group and champaign control group. Conclusion Huperzine A treatment may have a protective effect against acute hypobaric hypoxic-induced apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in rats, and it ameliorates spatial learning and memory deficits in rats.

Huperzine a relieves acute hypobaric hypoxic-induced oxidative stress injury in rat brain / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of huperzine A in ameliorating acute hypobaric hypoxic-induced spatial memory deficits and in relieving oxidative stress injury in rat brain. METHODS: A total of 48 rats were randomly divided into four groups, the champaign group (control group), champaign + huperzine A group (0.1 mg · kg-1), high altitude group (simulated 6000 m plateau) and high altitude + huperzine A group. The Morris water maze learning and memory test, the concentration of GSH, MDA as well as the activities of CAT, SOD and LDH in hippocampus were measured and compared. RESULTS: Compared with those of high altitude group, escape latency of high altitude + huperzine A group was significantly shorter (P < 0.05), platform crossings within 60 s was significantly more (P < 0.05), time spent in target was significantly longer (P < 0.05), GSH content, SOD and CAT activity in hippocampal tissue were significantly higher (P < 0.05), MDA and LDH activity in hippocampal tissue was significantly lower (P < 0.05), and all these changes had no significantly difference as compared with the champaign group. CONCLUSION: Huperzine A treatment has protective effects against acute hypobaric hypoxic-induced oxidative stress injury in rat brain, and ameliorates spatial memory deficits in rats. Copyright 2012 by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.