title: Plasma adipokine and hormone changes in mountaineers on ascent to 5300 meters.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The current study evaluated multiple metabolic and inflammatory hormone responses in recreational climbers (7 men and 3 women, age 26-49 years) over 9 days. In particular, acylation-stimulating protein (ASP), which influences fat storage in adipose tissue, has not been measured at high altitude.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serial measurements were taken at sea level (SL), or 353 m, on day 0, 4000 m on day 3, 4750 m on day 6, and 5300 m on day 9 of the expedition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Body mass index (BMI) decreased upon ascent to 5300 m from SL (SL 23.2 ± 1.5 kg/m(2); 4000 m 23.2 ± 1.4 kg/m(2); 4750 m 22.9 ± 1.3 kg/m(2); 5300 m 22.3 ± 1.2 kg/m(2); P<.001). Similarly, plasma non-esterified fatty acids and triglycerides increased, while HDL cholesterol decreased (P<.05 to <.001) from SL to 5300 m. Acylation-stimulating protein (SL 42.2 ± 40.2 nm; 4000 m 117.0 ± 69.6 nm; 4750 m 107.9 ± 44.5 nm; 5300 m 82.2 ± 20.2 nm; P=.019) and adiponectin (SL 10.4 ± 6.5 ng/mL, 4000 m 13.9 ± 8.5 ng/mL, 4750 m 18.3 ± 8.3 ng/mL, 5300 m 14.7 ± 8.0 ng/mL; P=.015) increased, as did insulin and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels (up to 71% and 168%, respectively; P<.05) with no change in leptin, complement C3 (C3), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) or cortisol levels throughout the mountain ascent from SL to 5300 m.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acylation-stimulating protein and adiponectin are increased during a 9-day period of high altitude (SL to 5300 m) exposure despite weight loss in healthy mountaineers.
authors.affiliation: Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Québec, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Jessica D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cianflone
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Poirier
authors.forename: Tom L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Broderick
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Noël
mesh_terms: D054392:Adipokines / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001838:Bolivia; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D003176:Complement C3; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009051:Mountaineering / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D054392:Adipokines; D001786:Blood Glucose; C038245:C3 protein, human; D003176:Complement C3; D007328:Insulin; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008055:Lipids; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D006854:Hydrocortisone