The effect of high altitude on platelet counts, thrombopoietin and erythropoietin levels in young Bolivian airmen visiting the Andes |
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Authors: | J G Hudson Angela L Bowen Pilar Navia Jaime Rios-Dalenz Andrew J Pollard David Williams Donald Heath |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Haematology, Middlesbrough General Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK Tel.: +44-1642-850850 Fax: +44-1642-825071, GB;(2) Department of Haematology, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK, GB;(3) Instituto Boliviano de Biologica de Altura, La Paz, Bolivia, BO;(4) Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Mayor de San Andres, La Paz, Bolivia, BO;(5) Department of Paediatrics, Imperial College School of Medicine, London, UK, GB;(6) Department of Pathology, University of Liverpool, UK, GB |
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Abstract: | Recognition of thrombosis as a complication of exposure to high altitude has stimulated interest in rheological changes resulting
from hypobaric hypoxia. Previous studies of platelet counts at high altitude have yielded conflicting results and have not
been studied in conjunction with potential mediating cytokines. We studied the effects of high-altitude exposure on platelet
numbers, thrombopoietin (tpo) and erythropoietin (epo) levels in man. A group of 28 volunteers from the Bolivian Airforce
stationed at Santa Cruz (600 m altitude) were studied 48 h and 1 week after their ascent to La Paz (3600 m). In addition 105
volunteers based at Santa Cruz for at least 1 year were compared with 175 age- and sex-matched residents at El Alto (4200
m). Platelet counts were measured immediately after sampling and serum samples assayed for tpo and epo. In the ascending group,
mean platelet counts were 251×109, 367×109 and 398×109/l at 600 m and following 48 h and 1 week at 3600 m respectively. Mean tpo levels were 132.5, 76 and 92 pg/ml with epo values
of 2.98, 11.6 and 7.9 mIU/ml respectively. In the resident populations mean platelet counts were 271×109/l in the low- and 471×109/l in the high-altitude groups. Mean tpo and epo levels measured 69.3 pg/ml and 4.5 mIU/ml respectively at 600 m and 58.5
pg/ml and 5.1 mIU/ml at 4200 m. In conclusion we have demonstrated a significant and sustained elevation in platelet numbers
within 48 h of ascent to high altitude. Our findings do not support a role for tpo as a mediator of the increased platelet
count. However, these data do not discount epo as a potential candidate.
Received: 28 December 1998 / Revised: 13 May 1999 / Accepted: 26 May 1999 |
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Keywords: | Altitude Erythropoietin Platelets Thrombopoietin Thrombosis |
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