Effect Of Hypoxia On Plasma Vegf In Subjects At 3658m High Altitude

Objective: Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)has an important role in the pathogenesis of acute mountain sicknes(sAMS),but several reports about results VEGF change in the subjects at high altitude is contradictory.The study aimed to elucidate effect of hypoxia on plasma VEGF concentration in subjects at 3658m high altitude further and observe incidence of AMS and SpO2.Methods: The subjects include 1200 soldiers flew to Lhasa(3658m).Venous blood was collected and then analyzed by ELISA for VEGF and peripheral arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) was recorded at low altitude and after 24h-48h at high altitude in AMS group(n=40) and control(n=40) from subjects with AMS and without AMS respectively. AMS was diagnosed according to the criteria of Lake Louise symptom score.Results:1 420 subjects had symptoms of AMS and 757 subjects without symptoms of AMS(referred to as tolerant people) from 1200 subjects. in the study AMS incidence rate of 35.76%.2 AMS Group SpO2 from the plains of 98.02±1.69% down to high altitude of 85.16±5.42%(P <0.01), control group SpO2 from 98.02±1.40% plain down to high altitude of 86.30±4.63%(P <0.01). AMS Group In the high altitude of SpO2 significantly lower than the control group (P <0.05).3 AMS group heart rate from the plains of 94±15 beats / min to the high altitude of 103±19 beats / min, control group heart rate from the plains of 97±15 beats / min to the high altitude of 105±20 beats / min (P <0.001), AMS Group heart rate compared with the control group, no significant difference between in the high altitude.4 AMS group plasma of VEGF concentrations from plain 79.276±27.48 pg / ml down to the high altitude of 55.58±20.19 pg / ml (P <0.01), control group plasma of VEGF concentration from 41.03±37.37pg/ml in the plain down to the high altitude of 16.98±11.61 pg / ml (P <0.01), AMS Group plasma of VEGF in the plains and high altitude were significantly higher.Conclusion:1 From Chengdu to Lhasa, after 24-48 hours the incidence rate of AMS is 35.68%.2 In high altitude, AMS and tolerance of those patients with SpO2 were lower than plains , patients of AMS SpO2 were more evident lower compared to tolerance.3 In high altitude, The patients of AMS and tolerance with heart rate significantly faster than those in plain. patients of AMS and tolerance heart rate have no significant difference in high altitude.4 VEGF is down-regulated in AMS group and control at high altitude,but VEGF level of AMS group still higher significantly than control not only at high altitude but also at sea level;...