title: Hematological and lipid profile changes in sea-level natives after exposure to 3550-m altitude for 8 months.
abstract: The aim of this epidemiological study was to determinate the effects on hematological and lipid profile in a young group of newcomers to altitude after being exposed chronically for 8 months to 3550 m (n = 50), age 17.8 +/- 0.7; and not overweight, BMI 22.9 +/- 0.5). Readings taken at altitude on day 1 and on month 8 were hematocrit (Hct, %), hemoglobin (Hb, g/dL), Sa(O(2)), total leukocyte and subset count (mm(3), %), and lipid profile (mg/dL). The same measurements were taken in a comparative group (CG) at sea level (SL). At altitude, elevations of Hct (44.6 +/- 0.4; 51.2 +/- 0.4) and Hb (15.5 +/- 0.1; 17.3 +/- 0.1) were seen (p < 0.001) and none with Hb >/= 21 g/dL. No correlation was observed between Hb and Sa(O(2)), r = 0.11, p > 0.05. Total leukocyte count showed no changes (6037 +/- 74; 6002 +/- 43), but a relative neutropenia (55.2 + -1.5; 50.6 + -1.3) and lymphocytosis (34.2 + 1; 42.4 + 1, p < 0.001) between periods were found and also when compared to SL. Also, an inverse relationship between Sa(O(2)) and total leukocytes on month 8 (r = 0.46; r(2) = 0.204), suggesting a probable representation of a hypoxia effect. Total cholesterol (153.8 +/- 4.5; 157.3 +/- 5.1; p, ns) showed no changes, but a mild decrease of LDL-cholesterol (88.4 +/- 3.3; 81.0 +/- 3.9; p < 0.05), and a rise in triglycerides (121.6 +/- 10.9; 178.8 +/- 11.7; p < 0.001) was found. Changes observed in leukocytes subset count and triglycerides could suggest a contributory role of hypoxic conditions, raising some future epidemiological concerns regarding immune system and fatty acid behaviour at altitude.
authors: Instituto de Estudios de Salud, Universidad Arturo Prat, Chile. psiques@tie.cl
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Siqués
authors: Julio
authors: J
authors: Brito
authors: Fabiola
authors: F
authors: León-Velarde
authors: Luis
authors: L
authors: Barrios
authors: Juan José
authors: JJ
authors: De La Cruz
authors: Vasthi
authors: V
authors: López
authors: Rafael
authors: R
authors: Herruzo
mesh_terms: D000064:Acclimatization / Q000502:physiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006454:Hemoglobins; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol