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Effect of a high-altitude expedition to a Himalayan peak (Pumori, 7,161�m) on plasma and erythrocyte antioxidant profile
- Source :
- Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal, Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP), instacron:RCAAP
- Publication Year :
- 2004
- Publisher :
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2004.
-
Abstract
- The effects of a high-altitude exposure were studied in six mountaineers who spent 3 weeks at an altitude range between 5,250 and 7,161 m after 1 week in an acclimatization trek (2,800-5,250 m). Blood drawn from the antecubital vein was collected at sea level 1 day before and 1 day after the expedition to analyse some haematological variables [haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Htc) and red blood cell (RBC) count], erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activity [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (Gr)] and membrane fatty acid profile [mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), saturated fatty acids (SFA), trans fatty acids (TRANS)]. Moreover, total antioxidant status (TAS), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), thiol protein groups (SH), SOD, GPx and Gr were measured in plasma. High-altitude exposure induced polycythaemia, with significant increases in RBC count (5.26%), Hb concentration (4.83%) and Htc (6.26%). Furthermore, a significant increase in plasma TBARS, SOD and Gr was observed after the expedition, whereas SH, TAS and GPx decreased. Erythrocyte glutathione-cycle-related antioxidant enzyme activity was upregulated, whereas SOD activity was maintained after the expedition. In addition, despite the unchanged (MUFA+PUFA)/SFA ratio, the membrane erythrocyte fatty acid content showed a significant increase in PUFAs and a decrease in TRANS, suggesting enhanced membrane fluidity. In conclusion, it seems that high-altitude exposure, besides quantitative variations in RBC expression, induced plasma oxidative stress and damage, and significant changes in erythrocyte components, namely in antioxidant enzyme activity and membrane fatty acid profile that might modify RBC functionality.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Erythrocytes
Antioxidant
Physiology
Thiobarbituric acid
medicine.medical_treatment
Glutathione reductase
Antioxidants
Basic medicine
Superoxide dismutase
chemistry.chemical_compound
Physiology (medical)
Internal medicine
Basic medicine [Medical and Health sciences]
medicine
TBARS
Humans
Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
chemistry.chemical_classification
biology
Chemistry
Altitude
Glutathione peroxidase
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Fatty acid
Medicina básica [Ciências médicas e da saúde]
General Medicine
Adaptation, Physiological
Mountaineering
Endocrinology
Biochemistry
Medicina básica
biology.protein
Polyunsaturated fatty acid
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 14396327 and 14396319
- Volume :
- 93
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- European Journal of Applied Physiology
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....14e0f75d1606728db60070dd3dc41e21
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-004-1222-2