ABSTRACT
When rats in different hydration states (normal control,furosemide treated,and water loaded) were exposed to hypoxia due to simulated altitudes from 5 000 to 8 000 meters,the water content of the lungs and brain was measured.It was found that the water loaded animals had an increase of the water content of the lungs and cerebral cortex under simulated high altitudes.The pulmonary extravascular water content was higher at an altitude of 5 000 meters than at an altitude of 8 000 meters.The increase of water content in the brain mainly happened to the cerebral cortex.The diuresis after the administration of furosemide could lower the water content of the lungs and brain in rats at high altitudes.The results listed above support the hypothesis that pulmonary edema may occur simultaneously with brain edema at high altitude,both of which are two important constituents of acute mountain sickness.