title: Effect of Intravenous Iron Supplementation on Acute Mountain Sickness: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to assess the role of intravenous iron supplementation in the prevention of AMS.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Forty-one (n=41) healthy Chinese low-altitude inhabitants living in Beijing, China (altitude of about 50 meters) were randomly assigned into intravenous iron supplementation (ISS group; n=21) and placebo (CON group; n=20) groups. Participants in the ISS group received iron sucrose supplement (200 mg) before flying to Lhasa, China (altitude of 4300 meters). Acute mountain sickness (AMS) severity was assessed with the Lake Louise scoring (LLS) system within 5 days after landing on the plateau (at high altitude). Routine check-ups, clinical biochemistry, and blood tests were performed before departure and 24 h after arrival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 38 participants completed the study (ISS group: n=19; CON group: n=19). The rate of subjects with AMS (LLS>3) was lower in the ISS group compared with the CON group, but no significant differences were obtained (P>0.05). There were no differences in patients' baseline characteristics. The physiological indices were similar in both groups except for serum iron concentrations (19.44±10.02 vs. 85.10±26.78 μmol/L) and transferrin saturation rates (28.20±12.14 vs. 68.34±33.12%), which were significantly higher in the ISS group (P<0.05). Finally, heart rate was identified as a contributing factor of LLS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary findings suggest that intravenous iron supplementation has no significant protective effect on AMS in healthy Chinese low-altitude inhabitants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Xuewen
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: Cadre Ward, Beijing Huimin Hospital, Beijing, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Qiuying
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Cardiology, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Military Training Group, Urumqi Academy for Minority Nationality Cadres, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Chunyan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Man
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Beijing Shijingshan Hospital, Beijing, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Heng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Tanshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Cardiology, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ye
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077605:Ferric Oxide, Saccharated; D005937:Glucaric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D005290:Ferric Compounds; D000077605:Ferric Oxide, Saccharated; D005937:Glucaric Acid