Exhaled nitric oxide is reduced upon chronic intermittent hypoxia exposure in well-acclimatized mine workers.
The aim of this study was to assess how exhaled nitric oxide (NO) levels in healthy subjects changed upon exposure to intermittent hypoxia at high altitude. Eighty-one healthy subjects with a mean age of 31.8±6.7 years, well acclimatized at altitudes of 3800-4000m above sea level, and employed by a gold-mining company were recruited for the study. Baseline, altitude-corrected partial exhaled NO levels (PE(NO)) were measured in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (780m). Measurements were then taken on day 1 of the ascent to the mine, which is located at an altitude of 4000m, on day 3 and finally at the end of the 2- or 3-week shifts. The mean PE(NO) level was 9.49±3.66nmHg in Bishkek and was lower in females than in males (9.76±3.58nmHg vs. 7.03±3.71nmHg). When compared to the first day at altitude, exhaled NO was reduced by 17.2% on day 3 (p=0.001) and 29.6% by the end of the shift (p<0.001). In summary, this study of well-acclimatized high-altitude miners demonstrates that despite the absence of clinical signs of desadaptation, there is an apparent reduction in exhaled NO.
Kumtor Operating Company, Pereulok Geologichesky 19, Bishkek 720031, Kyrgyzstan. denisvinnikov@mail.ru
Denis
D
Vinnikov
Nurlan
N
Brimkulov
Rupert
R
Redding-Jones
Kalysbubu
K
Jumabaeva
D000064:Acclimatization / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D045853:Exhalation / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007707:Kyrgyzstan; D008297:Male; D008906:Mining; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D009569:Nitric Oxide