Effects of rapid entrance into plateau area on the vascular endothelial function and the relationship to acute mountain sickness / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the changes in the vascular endothelial function indexes in subjects who enter plateau areas expeditiously, and investigate the relationship between their changes and acute mountain sickness (AMS). Methods Thirty two healthy young male lowlands residents were recruited as subjects, and they were sent by bus to an area of altitude of 3900m. According to the score of Lake Louise questionnaire, the subjects were divided into AMS+ and AMS- group at the 5th day after the entrance into plateau. The changes in the vascular endothelial function indexes (NO, ET-1, VEGF, VE-cadherin, MDA and SOD) in serum of the subjects were detected by ELISA. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to identify the relationship of AMS to the changes of the indexes mentioned above. Results On the 5th day after being exposed to high altitude, the incidence of AMS was 43.8% (14/32). The serum levels of NO and SOD in subjects were significantly lowered (P+ group as compared with those in AMS- group (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). Correlation analysis showed that the serum levels of NO, VEGF, VE-cadherin and SOD were negatively correlated with AMS after a 5-day high altitude exposure, while serum level of ET-1 was positively correlated with AMS. Conclusions Rapid entrance into plateau area may induce damage to vascular endothelial function of the subjects, and it affects the serum levels of NO, ET-1, VEGF, VE-cadherin and SOD. The changes in these indexes may provide the potential basis for prewarning and diagnosis of AMS.