Muscle lipofuscin content and satellite cell volume is increased after high altitude exposure in humans.
Muscle ultrastructural changes during a typical expedition to the Himalayas were analyzed by taking muscle biopsies from seven climbers before and after their sojourn at high altitude (over 5000 m for 8 weeks). M. vastus lateralis samples were analyzed morphometrically from electron micrographs. A quantitative evaluation was made of lipofuscin, satellite cells and myonuclei. Significant increases of the volume densities of lipofuscin (+ 235%) and satellite cells (+ 215%) were observed.
Martinelli
M
M
Department of Anatomy University of Bern, Switzerland.
Winterhalder
R
R
Cerretelli
P
P
Howald
H
H
Hoppeler
H
H
D000531:Altitude; D001706:Biopsy; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008062:Lipofuscin / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000378:metabolism*
D008062:Lipofuscin; D010860:Pigments, Biological