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  • Andrew Steele
    University of Alberta
  • Michael Tymko
    University of British Columbia, Okanagan
  • Victoria L. Meah
    University of Alberta
  • Lydia Simpson
    University of Innsbruck
  • Chris Gasho
    Loma Linda University
  • Tony Dawkins
    Cardiff Metropolitan University
  • Alexandra Williams
    University of British Columbia
  • Francisco Villafuerte
    Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
  • Gustavo Vizcardo-Galindo
    University of British Columbia
  • Rómulo Joseph Figueroa-Mujíca
    Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
  • Philip Ainslie
    University of British Columbia, Okanagan
  • Mike Stembridge
    Cardiff Metropolitan University
  • Jonathan Moore
  • Craig Steinback
    University of Alberta
The high-altitude maladaptation syndrome known as chronic mountain sickness (CMS) is characterized by polycythemia and is associated with proteinuria despite unaltered glomerular filtration rate. However, it remains unclear if indigenous highlanders with CMS have altered volume regulatory hormones. We assessed NH2-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT pro-BNP), plasma aldosterone concentration, plasma renin activity, kidney function (urinary microalbumin, glomerular filtration rate), blood volume, and estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (ePASP) in Andean males without ( n = 14; age = 39 ± 11 yr) and with ( n = 10; age = 40 ± 12 yr) CMS at 4,330 m (Cerro de Pasco, Peru). Plasma renin activity (non-CMS: 15.8 ± 7.9 ng/mL vs. CMS: 8.7 ± 5.4 ng/mL; P = 0.025) and plasma aldosterone concentration (non-CMS: 77.5 ± 35.5 pg/mL vs. CMS: 54.2 ± 28.9 pg/mL; P = 0.018) were lower in highlanders with CMS compared with non-CMS, whereas NT pro-BNP was not different between groups (non-CMS: 1394.9 ± 214.3 pg/mL vs. CMS: 1451.1 ± 327.8 pg/mL; P = 0.15). Highlanders had similar total blood volume (non-CMS: 90 ± 15 mL·kg−1 vs. CMS: 103 ± 18 mL·kg−1; P = 0.071), but Andeans with CMS had greater total red blood cell volume (non-CMS: 46 ± 10 mL·kg−1 vs. CMS: 66 ± 14 mL·kg−1; P < 0.01) and smaller plasma volume (non-CMS: 43 ± 7 mL·kg−1 vs. CMS: 35 ± 5 mL·kg−1; P = 0.03) compared with non-CMS. There were no differences in ePASP between groups (non-CMS: 32 ± 9 mmHg vs. CMS: 31 ± 8 mmHg; P = 0.6). A negative correlation was found between plasma renin activity and glomerular filtration rate in both groups (group: r = −0.66; P < 0.01; non-CMS: r = −0.60; P = 0.022; CMS: r = −0.63; P = 0.049). A smaller plasma volume in Andeans with CMS may indicate an additional CMS maladaptation to high altitude, causing potentially greater polycythemia and clinical symptoms.

Keywords

  • Blood volume, High-altitude, Renal function, Volume regulation
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)R504-R512
JournalAmerican Journal of Physiology - Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology
Volume321
Issue number3
Early online date4 Aug 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2021

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