Search

The article discusses hypoxic pathophysiology and high-altitude medicine as of December 2012, with a focus on physiological adaptations in mitochondria and their potential role in high-altitude illness susceptibility. Topics include cerebral cortex mitochondria and the respiratory control rate (RCR), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and genetic adaptations to hypobaric hypoxia exposure. Additional information is presented on the oxidative phosphorylation ratio (OPR) and Tibetans' mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences.

The article explores novel approaches for facilitating acclimatization to high altitudes. The authors argue that poor acclimatization can result in severe deficits in physical and cognitive performance and to high-altitude diseases, necessitating practical measures to facilitate high-altitude acclimatization. Topics include research studying ways in which to facilitate high altitude acclimatization in large groups, the importance of hypoxia (low oxygen) preconditioning in protecting organisms against subsequent severe hypoxia-induced injury, the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in stimulating the protective pathways of hypoxia preconditioning, and the feasibility of using acetazolamide as a prophylactic medication for acute mountain sickness (AMS).