Effects of acute and sub-acute hypobaric hypoxia on oxidative stress: a field study in the Alps

• Published in: European journal of applied physiology Vol. 121; no. 1; pp. 297 - 306
• Main Authors: Mrakic-Sposta, S., Gussoni, M., Dellanoce, C., Marzorati, M., Montorsi, M., Rasica, L., Pratali, L., D’Angelo, G., Martinelli, M., Bastiani, L., Di Natale, L., Vezzoli, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.01.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acclimatization; Altitude; Antioxidants; Biomarkers; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Carbonyl compounds; Cytokines; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; DNA damage; Electron spin resonance; Field study; High-altitude environments; Human Physiology; Hypoxia; Inflammation; Lipid peroxidation; Neopterin; Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine; Original Article; Oxidative stress; Reactive oxygen species; Renal function; Sports Medicine; Hypobaric hypoxia; Oxidative stress; Acclimatization; Reactive oxygen species; Electron paramagnetic resonance
• ISSN: 1439-6319; 1439-6327; 1439-6327
• DOI: 10.1007/s00421-020-04527-x

Purpose High altitude results in lower barometric pressure and hence partial pressure of O 2 decrease can lead to several molecular and cellular changes, such as generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Electron Paramagnetic Resonance technique was adopted in the field, to evaluate the effects of acute and sub-acute hypobaric hypoxia (HH) on ROS production by micro-invasive method. Biological biomarkers, indicators of oxidative stress, renal function and inflammation were investigated too. Methods Fourteen lowlander subjects (mean age 27.3 ± 5.9 years) were exposed to HH at 3269 m s.l. ROS production, related oxidative damage to cellular components, systemic inflammatory response and renal function were determined through blood and urine profile performed at 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, and 14th days during sojourn. Results Kinetics of changes during HH exposition showed out significant (range p  < 0.05–0.0001) increases that at max corresponds to 38% for ROS production rate, 140% for protein carbonyl, 44% for lipid peroxidation, 42% for DNA damage, 200% for inflammatory cytokines and modifications in renal function (assessed by neopterin concentration: 48%). Conversely, antioxidant capacity significantly ( p  < 0.0001) decreased − 17% at max. Conclusion This 14 days in-field study describes changes of oxidative-stress biomarkers during HH exposure in lowlanders. The results show an overproduction of ROS and consequent oxidative damage to protein, lipids and DNA with a decrease in antioxidant capacity and the involvement of inflammatory status and a transient renal dysfunction. Exposure at high altitude induces a hypoxic condition during acute and sub-acute phases accompanied by molecular adaptation mechanism indicating acclimatization.