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Manferdelli G, Narang BJ, Bourdillon N, Giardini G, Debevec T, Millet GP. Impaired cerebrovascular CO 2 reactivity at high altitude in prematurely born adults. J Physiol 2023. [PMID: 38116893 DOI: 10.1113/jp285048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Premature birth impairs cardiac and ventilatory responses to both hypoxia and hypercapnia, but little is known about cerebrovascular responses. Both at sea level and after 2 days at high altitude (3375 m), 16 young preterm-born (gestational age, 29 ± 1 weeks) and 15 age-matched term-born (40 ± 0 weeks) adults were exposed to two consecutive 4 min bouts of hyperoxic hypercapnic conditions (3% CO2 -97% O2 ; 6% CO2 -94% O2 ), followed by two periods of voluntary hyperventilation-induced hypocapnia. We measured middle cerebral artery blood velocity, end-tidal CO2 , pulmonary ventilation, beat-by-beat mean arterial pressure and arterialized capillary blood gases. Baseline middle cerebral artery blood velocity increased at high altitude compared with sea level in term-born (+24 ± 39%, P = 0.036), but not in preterm-born (-4 ± 27%, P = 0.278) adults. The end-tidal CO2 , pulmonary ventilation and mean arterial pressure were similar between groups at sea level and high altitude. Hypocapnic cerebrovascular reactivity was higher at high altitude compared with sea level in term-born adults (+173 ± 326%, P = 0.026) but not in preterm-born adults (-21 ± 107%, P = 0.572). Hypercapnic reactivity was altered at altitude only in preterm-born adults (+125 ± 144%, P < 0.001). Collectively, at high altitude, term-born participants showed higher hypocapnic (P = 0.012) and lower hypercapnic (P = 0.020) CO2 reactivity compared with their preterm-born peers. In conclusion, exposure to high altitude revealed different cerebrovascular responses in preterm- compared with term-born adults, despite similar ventilatory responses. These findings suggest a blunted cerebrovascular response at high altitude in preterm-born adults, which might predispose these individuals to an increased risk of high-altitude illnesses. KEY POINTS: Cerebral haemodynamics and cerebrovascular reactivity in normoxia are known to be similar between term-born and prematurely born adults. In contrast, acute exposure to high altitude unveiled different cerebrovascular responses to hypoxia, hypercapnia and hypocapnia. In particular, cerebral vasodilatation was impaired in prematurely born adults, leading to an exaggerated cerebral vasoconstriction. Cardiovascular and ventilatory responses to both hypo- and hypercapnia at sea level and at high altitude were similar between control subjects and prematurely born adults. Other mechanisms might therefore underlie the observed blunted cerebral vasodilatory responses in preterm-born adults at high altitude.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Benjamin J Narang
- Department of Automatics, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nicolas Bourdillon
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Guido Giardini
- Mountain Medicine and Neurology Centre, Valle D'Aosta Regional Hospital, Aosta, Italy
| | - Tadej Debevec
- Department of Automatics, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Grégoire P Millet
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Stacey BS, Hoiland RL, Caldwell HG, Howe CA, Vermeulen T, Tymko MM, Vizcardo‐Galindo GA, Bermudez D, Figueroa‐Mujíica RJ, Gasho C, Tuaillon E, Hirtz C, Lehmann S, Marchi N, Tsukamoto H, Villafuerte FC, Ainslie PN, Bailey DM. Lifelong exposure to high-altitude hypoxia in humans is associated with improved redox homeostasis and structural-functional adaptations of the neurovascular unit. J Physiol 2023; 601:1095-1120. [PMID: 36633375 PMCID: PMC10952731 DOI: 10.1113/jp283362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
High-altitude (HA) hypoxia may alter the structural-functional integrity of the neurovascular unit (NVU). Herein, we compared male lowlanders (n = 9) at sea level (SL) and after 14 days acclimatization to 4300 m (chronic HA) in Cerro de Pasco (CdP), Péru (HA), against sex-, age- and body mass index-matched healthy highlanders (n = 9) native to CdP (lifelong HA). Venous blood was assayed for serum proteins reflecting NVU integrity, in addition to free radicals and nitric oxide (NO). Regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) was examined in conjunction with cerebral substrate delivery, dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA), cerebrovascular reactivity to carbon dioxide (CVRCO2 ) and neurovascular coupling (NVC). Psychomotor tests were employed to examine cognitive function. Compared to lowlanders at SL, highlanders exhibited elevated basal plasma and red blood cell NO bioavailability, improved anterior and posterior dCA, elevated anterior CVRCO2 and preserved cerebral substrate delivery, NVC and cognition. In highlanders, S100B, neurofilament light-chain (NF-L) and T-tau were consistently lower and cognition comparable to lowlanders following chronic-HA. These findings highlight novel integrated adaptations towards regulation of the NVU in highlanders that may represent a neuroprotective phenotype underpinning successful adaptation to the lifelong stress of HA hypoxia. KEY POINTS: High-altitude (HA) hypoxia has the potential to alter the structural-functional integrity of the neurovascular unit (NVU) in humans. For the first time, we examined to what extent chronic and lifelong hypoxia impacts multimodal biomarkers reflecting NVU structure and function in lowlanders and native Andean highlanders. Despite lowlanders presenting with a reduction in systemic oxidative-nitrosative stress and maintained cerebral bioenergetics and cerebrovascular function during chronic hypoxia, there was evidence for increased axonal injury and cognitive impairment. Compared to lowlanders at sea level, highlanders exhibited elevated vascular NO bioavailability, improved dynamic regulatory capacity and cerebrovascular reactivity, comparable cerebral substrate delivery and neurovascular coupling, and maintained cognition. Unlike lowlanders following chronic HA, highlanders presented with lower concentrations of S100B, neurofilament light chain and total tau. These findings highlight novel integrated adaptations towards the regulation of the NVU in highlanders that may represent a neuroprotective phenotype underpinning successful adaptation to the lifelong stress of HA hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin S. Stacey
- Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences and EducationUniversity of South WalesPontypriddUK
| | - Ryan L. Hoiland
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vancouver General HospitalUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Hannah G. Caldwell
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular HealthUniversity of British Columbia‐Okanagan CampusKelownaBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Connor A. Howe
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular HealthUniversity of British Columbia‐Okanagan CampusKelownaBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Tyler Vermeulen
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular HealthUniversity of British Columbia‐Okanagan CampusKelownaBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Michael M. Tymko
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular HealthUniversity of British Columbia‐Okanagan CampusKelownaBritish ColumbiaCanada
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and RecreationUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Gustavo A. Vizcardo‐Galindo
- Laboratorio de Fisiología Comparada, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Fisiológicas, Facultad de Ciencias y FilosofíaUniversidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaLima 31Peru
| | - Daniella Bermudez
- Laboratorio de Fisiología Comparada, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Fisiológicas, Facultad de Ciencias y FilosofíaUniversidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaLima 31Peru
| | - Rómulo J. Figueroa‐Mujíica
- Laboratorio de Fisiología Comparada, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Fisiológicas, Facultad de Ciencias y FilosofíaUniversidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaLima 31Peru
| | - Christopher Gasho
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical CareLoma Linda University School of MedicineLoma LindaCAUSA
| | - Edouard Tuaillon
- Department of Infectious DiseasesUniversity of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Christophe Hirtz
- LBPC‐PPCUniversité de Montpellier, IRMB CHU de Montpellier, INM INSERMMontpellierFrance
| | - Sylvain Lehmann
- LBPC‐PPCUniversité de Montpellier, IRMB CHU de Montpellier, INM INSERMMontpellierFrance
| | - Nicola Marchi
- Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Glia Research, Department of Neuroscience, Institute of Functional GenomicsUniversity of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Hayato Tsukamoto
- Faculty of Sport and Health ScienceRitsumeikan UniversityKusatsuShigaJapan
| | - Francisco C. Villafuerte
- Laboratorio de Fisiología Comparada, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Fisiológicas, Facultad de Ciencias y FilosofíaUniversidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaLima 31Peru
| | - Philip N. Ainslie
- Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences and EducationUniversity of South WalesPontypriddUK
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular HealthUniversity of British Columbia‐Okanagan CampusKelownaBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Damian M. Bailey
- Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences and EducationUniversity of South WalesPontypriddUK
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3
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Caldwell HG, Smith KJ, Lewis NCS, Hoiland RL, Willie CK, Lucas SJE, Stembridge M, Burgess KR, MacLeod DB, Ainslie PN. Regulation of cerebral blood flow by arterial PCO 2 independent of metabolic acidosis at 5050 m. J Physiol 2021; 599:3513-3530. [PMID: 34047356 DOI: 10.1113/jp281446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS We investigated the influence of arterial PCO2 (PaCO2 ) with and without experimentally altered pH on cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation at sea level and with acclimatization to 5050 m. At sea level and high altitude, we assessed stepwise alterations in PaCO2 following metabolic acidosis (via 2 days of oral acetazolamide; ACZ) with and without acute restoration of pH (via intravenous sodium bicarbonate; ACZ+HCO3 - ). Total resting CBF was unchanged between trials at each altitude even though arterial pH and [HCO3 - ] (i.e. buffering capacity) were effectively altered. The cerebrovascular responses to changes in arterial [H+ ]/pH were consistent with the altered relationship between PaCO2 and [H+ ]/pH following ACZ at high altitude (i.e. leftward x-intercept shifts). Absolute cerebral blood velocity (CBV) and the sensitivity of CBV to PaCO2 was unchanged between trials at high altitude, indicating that CBF is acutely regulated by PaCO2 rather than arterial pH. ABSTRACT Alterations in acid-base balance with progressive acclimatization to high altitude have been well-established. However, how respiratory alkalosis and the resultant metabolic compensation interact to regulate cerebral blood flow (CBF) is uncertain. We addressed this via three separate experimental trials at sea level and following partial acclimatization (14 to 20 days) at 5050 m; involving: (1) resting acid-base balance (control); (2) following metabolic acidosis via 2 days of oral acetazolamide at 250 mg every 8 h (ACZ; pH: Δ -0.07 ± 0.04 and base excess: Δ -5.7 ± 1.9 mEq⋅l-1 , trial effects: P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively); and (3) after acute normalization of arterial acidosis via intravenous sodium bicarbonate (ACZ + HCO3 - ; pH: Δ -0.01 ± 0.04 and base excess: Δ -1.5 ± 2.1 mEq⋅l-1 , trial effects: P = 1.000 and P = 0.052, respectively). Within each trial, we utilized transcranial Doppler ultrasound to assess the cerebral blood velocity (CBV) response to stepwise alterations in arterial PCO2 (PaCO2 ), i.e. cerebrovascular CO2 reactivity. Resting CBF (via Duplex ultrasound) was unaltered between trials within each altitude, indicating that respiratory compensation (i.e. Δ -3.4 ± 2.3 mmHg PaCO2 , trial effect: P < 0.001) was sufficient to offset any elevations in CBF induced via the ACZ-mediated metabolic acidosis. Between trials at high altitude, we observed consistent leftward shifts in both the PaCO2 -pH and CBV-pH responses across the CO2 reactivity tests with experimentally reduced arterial pH via ACZ. When indexed against PaCO2 - rather than pH - the absolute CBV and sensitivity of CBV-PaCO2 was unchanged between trials at high altitude. Taken together, following acclimatization, CO2 -mediated changes in cerebrovascular tone rather than arterial [H+ ]/pH is integral to CBF regulation at high altitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah G Caldwell
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kurt J Smith
- Integrative Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Nia C S Lewis
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ryan L Hoiland
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vancouver General Hospital, West 12th Avenue, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christopher K Willie
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Samuel J E Lucas
- Department of Physiology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences & Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Michael Stembridge
- Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Keith R Burgess
- Peninsula Sleep Clinic, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David B MacLeod
- Human Pharmacology and Physiology Lab, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Philip N Ainslie
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
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Carr JMJR, Caldwell HG, Ainslie PN. Cerebral blood flow, cerebrovascular reactivity and their influence on ventilatory sensitivity. Exp Physiol 2021; 106:1425-1448. [PMID: 33932955 DOI: 10.1113/ep089446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the topic of this review? Cerebrovascular reactivity to CO2 , which is a principal factor in determining ventilatory responses to CO2 through the role reactivity plays in determining cerebral extra- and intracellular pH. What advances does it highlight? Recent animal evidence suggests central chemoreceptor vasculature may demonstrate regionally heterogeneous cerebrovascular reactivity to CO2 , potentially as a protective mechanism against excessive CO2 washout from the central chemoreceptors, thereby allowing ventilation to reflect the systemic acid-base balance needs (respiratory changes in P aC O 2 ) rather than solely the cerebral needs. Ventilation per se does not influence cerebrovascular reactivity independent of changes in P aC O 2 . ABSTRACT Alveolar ventilation and cerebral blood flow are both predominantly regulated by arterial blood gases, especially arterial P C O 2 , and so are intricately entwined. In this review, the fundamental mechanisms underlying cerebrovascular reactivity and central chemoreceptor control of breathing are covered. We discuss the interaction of cerebral blood flow and its reactivity with the control of ventilation and ventilatory responsiveness to changes in P C O 2 , as well as the lack of influence of ventilation itself on cerebrovascular reactivity. We briefly summarize the effects of arterial hypoxaemia on the relationship between ventilatory and cerebrovascular response to both P C O 2 and P O 2 . We then highlight key methodological considerations regarding the interaction of reactivity and ventilatory sensitivity, including the following: regional heterogeneity of cerebrovascular reactivity; a pharmacological approach for the reduction of cerebral blood flow; reactivity assessment techniques; the influence of mean arterial blood pressure; and sex-related differences. Finally, we discuss ventilatory and cerebrovascular control in the context of high altitude and congestive heart failure. Future research directions and pertinent questions of interest are highlighted throughout.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay M J R Carr
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, University of British Columbia - Okanagan Campus, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Hannah G Caldwell
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, University of British Columbia - Okanagan Campus, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Philip N Ainslie
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, University of British Columbia - Okanagan Campus, British Columbia, Canada
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5
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Gatterer H, Rauch S, Regli IB, Woyke S, Schlittler M, Turner R, Strapazzon G, Brugger H, Goetze JP, Feraille E, Siebenmann C. Plasma volume contraction reduces atrial natriuretic peptide after four days of hypobaric hypoxia exposure. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2021; 320:R526-R531. [PMID: 33533684 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00313.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We investigated whether low arterial oxygen tension ([Formula: see text]) or hypoxia-induced plasma volume (PV) contraction, which reduces central blood volume (BV) and atrial distension, explain reduction in circulating atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) after prolonged hypoxic exposure. Ten healthy males were exposed for 4 days to hypobaric hypoxia corresponding to an altitude of 3,500 m. PV changes were determined by carbon monoxide rebreathing. Venous plasma concentrations of midregional proANP (MR-proANP) were measured before and at the end of the exposure. At the latter time point, the measurement was repeated after 1) restoration of [Formula: see text] by breathing a hyperoxic gas mixture for 30 min and 2) restoration of BV by fluid infusion. Correspondingly, left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left atrial area (LAA), and right atrial area (RAA) were determined by ultrasound before exposure and both before and after fluid infusion at the end of the exposure. Hypoxic exposure reduced MR-proANP from 37.9 ± 18.5 to 24.5 ± 10.3 pmol/L (P = 0.034), LVEDV from 107.4 ± 33.5 to 91.6 ± 26.3 mL (P = 0.005), LAA from 15.8 ± 4.9 to 13.3 ± 4.2 cm2 (P = 0.007), and RAA from 16.2 ± 3.1 to 14.3 ± 3.5 cm2 (P = 0.001). Hyperoxic breathing did not affect MR-proANP (24.8 ± 12.3 pmol/L, P = 0.890). Conversely, fluid infusion restored LVEDV, LAA, and RAA to near-baseline values (108.0 ± 29.3 mL, 17.2 ± 5.7 cm2, and 17.2 ± 3.1 cm2, respectively, P > 0.05 vs. baseline) and increased MR-proANP to 29.5 ± 13.3 pmol/L (P = 0.010 vs. preinfusion and P = 0.182 vs. baseline). These findings support that ANP reduction in hypoxia is at least partially attributed to plasma volume contraction, whereas reduced [Formula: see text] does not seem to contribute.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Gatterer
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Simon Rauch
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy.,Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, "F. Tappeiner" Hospital, Merano, Italy
| | - Ivo B Regli
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy.,Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, "F. Tappeiner" Hospital, Merano, Italy
| | - Simon Woyke
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy.,Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Maja Schlittler
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Rachel Turner
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Giacomo Strapazzon
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Hermann Brugger
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Jens P Goetze
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eric Feraille
- National Center of Competence in Research Kidney Control of Homeostasis (Kidney.CH), Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Cellular Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, University Medical Center, Geneva, Switzerland
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Aebi MR, Bourdillon N, Kunz A, Bron D, Millet GP. Specific effect of hypobaria on cerebrovascular hypercapnic responses in hypoxia. Physiol Rep 2021; 8:e14372. [PMID: 32097541 PMCID: PMC7058173 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
It remains unknown whether hypobaria plays a role on cerebrovascular reactivity to CO2 (CVR). The present study evaluated the putative effect of hypobaria on CVR and its influence on cerebral oxygen delivery (cDO2) in five randomized conditions (i.e., normobaric normoxia, NN, altitude level of 440 m; hypobaric hypoxia, HH at altitude levels of 3,000 m and 5,500 m; normobaric hypoxia, NH, altitude simulation of 5,500 m; and hypobaric normoxia, HN). CVR was assessed in nine healthy participants (either students in aviation or pilots) during a hypercapnic test (i.e., 5% CO2). We obtained CVR by plotting middle cerebral artery velocity versus end‐tidal CO2 pressure (PETCO2) using a sigmoid model. Hypobaria induced an increased slope in HH (0.66 ± 0.33) compared to NH (0.35 ± 0.19) with a trend in HN (0.46 ± 0.12) compared to NN (0.23 ± 0.12, p = .069). PETCO2 was decreased (22.3 ± 2.4 vs. 34.5 ± 2.8 mmHg and 19.9 ± 1.3 vs. 30.8 ± 2.2 mmHg, for HN vs. NN and HH vs. NH, respectively, p < .05) in hypobaric conditions when compared to normobaric conditions with comparable inspired oxygen pressure (141 ± 1 vs. 133 ± 3 mmHg and 74 ± 1 vs. 70 ± 2 mmHg, for NN vs. HN and NH vs. HH, respectively) During hypercapnia, cDO2 was decreased in 5,500 m HH (p = .046), but maintained in NH when compared to NN. To conclude, CVR seems more sensitive (i.e., slope increase) in hypobaric than in normobaric conditions. Moreover, hypobaria potentially affected vasodilation reserve (i.e., MCAv autoregulation) and brain oxygen delivery during hypercapnia. These results are relevant for populations (i.e., aviation pilots; high‐altitude residents as miners; mountaineers) occasionally exposed to hypobaric normoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias R Aebi
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Aeromedical Center (AeMC), Swiss Air Force, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Bourdillon
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Becare SA, Renens, Switzerland
| | - Andres Kunz
- Aeromedical Center (AeMC), Swiss Air Force, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Denis Bron
- Aeromedical Center (AeMC), Swiss Air Force, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Grégoire P Millet
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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7
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Ghiani G, Doneddu A, Sechi F, Mulliri G, Roberto S, Crisafulli A. Case study: physical capacity and nutritional status before and after climbing two peaks with different altitude (4897-6812 m). J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2020; 61:1309-1313. [PMID: 33269886 DOI: 10.23736/s0022-4707.20.11682-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Vinson and Ama Dablam are summits of different altitudes (4897 and 6812 m respectively). There are no published studies comparing physiological adaptations occurring after climbing both peaks yet. This case study compares changes in certain physiological parameters and body composition of a mountaineer who ascended both peaks. The athlete was a mountaineer who already climbed the 7 Summits©. Baseline body composition, physical capacity, and cerebral oxygenation during effort were measured before and after his departure. Body composition was estimated by electrical bio-impedance, while physical capacity was measured with an incremental exercise test (treadmill) conducted in normoxia and in hypoxia corresponding to about 4000 m. Hypoxia was obtained with a hypoxic gas generator. During tests, cerebral oxygenation was estimated with near infrared spectroscopy. The ascent of mount Vinson and Ama Dablam took 4 and 15 days respectively. The ascent of mount Vinson resulted in a 2.0 kg drop in body mass and a reduction in body fat (from 15.5% to 12.1%). The ascent of Ama Dablam reduced body mass by 3.7 kg, with an increase in body fat from 11.9% to 14.7%. Physical capacity was almost unchanged after both expeditions, although there was a reduction in maximum heart rate in relation to workload after Ama Dablam. Finally, after Ama Dablam there was an increase in cerebral oxygenation during effort both in normoxia and hypoxia. It was concluded that the longer duration and the higher altitude during the Ama Dablam expedition resulted in more evident physiological changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Ghiani
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Sports Physiology Laboratory, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy -
| | - Azzurra Doneddu
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Sports Physiology Laboratory, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Fabio Sechi
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Sports Physiology Laboratory, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Gabriele Mulliri
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Sports Physiology Laboratory, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Silvana Roberto
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Sports Physiology Laboratory, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonio Crisafulli
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Sports Physiology Laboratory, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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8
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Gibbons TD, Tymko MM, Thomas KN, Wilson LC, Stembridge M, Caldwell HG, Howe CA, Hoiland RL, Akerman AP, Dawkins TG, Patrician A, Coombs GB, Gasho C, Stacey BS, Ainslie PN, Cotter JD. Global REACH 2018: The influence of acute and chronic hypoxia on cerebral haemodynamics and related functional outcomes during cold and heat stress. J Physiol 2020; 598:265-284. [PMID: 31696936 DOI: 10.1113/jp278917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Thermal and hypoxic stress commonly coexist in environmental, occupational and clinical settings, yet how the brain tolerates these multi-stressor environments is unknown Core cooling by 1.0°C reduced cerebral blood flow (CBF) by 20-30% and cerebral oxygen delivery (CDO2 ) by 12-19% at sea level and high altitude, whereas core heating by 1.5°C did not reliably reduce CBF or CDO2 Oxygen content in arterial blood was fully restored with acclimatisation to 4330 m, but concurrent cold stress reduced CBF and CDO2 Gross indices of cognition were not impaired by any combination of thermal and hypoxic stress despite large reductions in CDO2 Chronic hypoxia renders the brain susceptible to large reductions in oxygen delivery with concurrent cold stress, which might make monitoring core temperature more important in this context ABSTRACT: Real-world settings are composed of multiple environmental stressors, yet the majority of research in environmental physiology investigates these stressors in isolation. The brain is central in both behavioural and physiological responses to threatening stimuli and, given its tight metabolic and haemodynamic requirements, is particularly susceptible to environmental stress. We measured cerebral blood flow (CBF, duplex ultrasound), cerebral oxygen delivery (CDO2 ), oesophageal temperature, and arterial blood gases during exposure to three commonly experienced environmental stressors - heat, cold and hypoxia - in isolation, and in combination. Twelve healthy male subjects (27 ± 11 years) underwent core cooling by 1.0°C and core heating by 1.5°C in randomised order at sea level; acute hypoxia ( P ET , O 2 = 50 mm Hg) was imposed at baseline and at each thermal extreme. Core cooling and heating protocols were repeated after 16 ± 4 days residing at 4330 m to investigate any interactions with high altitude acclimatisation. Cold stress decreased CBF by 20-30% and CDO2 by 12-19% (both P < 0.01) irrespective of altitude, whereas heating did not reliably change either CBF or CDO2 (both P > 0.08). The increases in CBF with acute hypoxia during thermal stress were appropriate to maintain CDO2 at normothermic, normoxic values. Reaction time was faster and slower by 6-9% with heating and cooling, respectively (both P < 0.01), but central (brain) processes were not impaired by any combination of environmental stressors. These findings highlight the powerful influence of core cooling in reducing CDO2 . Despite these large reductions in CDO2 with cold stress, gross indices of cognition remained stable.
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Affiliation(s)
- T D Gibbons
- School of Physical Education, Sport & Exercise Science, University of Otago, 55/47 Union St W, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand
| | - M M Tymko
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, University of British Columbia-Okanagan Campus, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, V1V 1V7
| | - K N Thomas
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Otago, 201 Great King St, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand
| | - L C Wilson
- Department of Medicine, University of Otago, 201 Great King St, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand
| | - M Stembridge
- Cardiff Centre for Exercise and Health, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cyncoed Road, Cardiff, CF23 6XD, UK
| | - H G Caldwell
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, University of British Columbia-Okanagan Campus, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, V1V 1V7
| | - C A Howe
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, University of British Columbia-Okanagan Campus, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, V1V 1V7
| | - R L Hoiland
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, University of British Columbia-Okanagan Campus, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, V1V 1V7
| | - A P Akerman
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, 125 University St, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1N 6N5
| | - T G Dawkins
- Cardiff Centre for Exercise and Health, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cyncoed Road, Cardiff, CF23 6XD, UK
| | - A Patrician
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, University of British Columbia-Okanagan Campus, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, V1V 1V7
| | - G B Coombs
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, University of British Columbia-Okanagan Campus, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, V1V 1V7
| | - C Gasho
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Hyperbaric and Sleep Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - B S Stacey
- Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Faculty of Life Sciences and Education, University of South Wales, UK
| | - P N Ainslie
- Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, University of British Columbia-Okanagan Campus, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, V1V 1V7
| | - J D Cotter
- School of Physical Education, Sport & Exercise Science, University of Otago, 55/47 Union St W, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand
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9
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Steady-state cerebral blood flow regulation at altitude: interaction between oxygen and carbon dioxide. Eur J Appl Physiol 2019; 119:2529-2544. [DOI: 10.1007/s00421-019-04206-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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10
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Hoiland RL, Fisher JA, Ainslie PN. Regulation of the Cerebral Circulation by Arterial Carbon Dioxide. Compr Physiol 2019; 9:1101-1154. [DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c180021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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11
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Leacy JK, Zouboules SM, Mann CR, Peltonen JDB, Saran G, Nysten CE, Nysten HE, Brutsaert TD, O’Halloran KD, Sherpa MT, Day TA. Neurovascular Coupling Remains Intact During Incremental Ascent to High Altitude (4240 m) in Acclimatized Healthy Volunteers. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1691. [PMID: 30546319 PMCID: PMC6279846 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurovascular coupling (NVC) is the temporal link between neuronal metabolic activity and regional cerebral blood flow (CBF), supporting adequate delivery of nutrients. Exposure to high altitude (HA) imposes several stressors, including hypoxia and hypocapnia, which modulate cerebrovascular tone in an antagonistic fashion. Whether these contrasting stressors and subsequent adaptations affect NVC during incremental ascent to HA is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess whether incremental ascent to HA influences the NVC response. Given that CBF is sensitive to changes in arterial blood gasses, in particular PaCO2, we hypothesized that the vasoconstrictive effect of hypocapnia during ascent would decrease the NVC response. 10 healthy study participants (21.7 ± 1.3 years, 23.57 ± 2.00 kg/m2, mean ± SD) were recruited as part of a research expedition to HA in the Nepal Himalaya. Resting posterior cerebral artery velocity (PCAv), arterial blood gasses (PaO2, SaO2, PaCO2, [HCO3 -], base excess and arterial blood pH) and NVC response of the PCA were measured at four pre-determined locations: Calgary/Kathmandu (1045/1400 m, control), Namche (3440 m), Deboche (3820 m) and Pheriche (4240 m). PCAv was measured using transcranial Doppler ultrasound. Arterial blood draws were taken from the radial artery and analyzed using a portable blood gas/electrolyte analyzer. NVC was determined in response to visual stimulation (VS; Strobe light; 6 Hz; 30 s on/off × 3 trials). The NVC response was averaged across three VS trials at each location. PaO2, SaO2, and PaCO2 were each significantly decreased at 3440, 3820, and 4240 m. No significant differences were found for pH at HA (P > 0.05) due to significant reductions in [HCO3 -] (P < 0.043). As expected, incremental ascent to HA induced a state of hypoxic hypocapnia, whereas normal arterial pH was maintained due to renal compensation. NVC was quantified as the delta (Δ) PCAv from baseline for mean PCAv, peak PCAv and total area under the curve (ΔPCAv tAUC) during VS. No significant differences were found for Δmean, Δpeak or ΔPCAv tAUC between locations (P > 0.05). NVC remains remarkably intact during incremental ascent to HA in healthy acclimatized individuals. Despite the array of superimposed stressors associated with ascent to HA, CBF and NVC regulation may be preserved coincident with arterial pH maintenance during acclimatization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack K. Leacy
- Department of Biology, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine & Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Carli R. Mann
- Department of Biology, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | - Gurkan Saran
- Department of Biology, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | | | - Tom D. Brutsaert
- School of Education, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, United States
| | - Ken D. O’Halloran
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine & Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Trevor A. Day
- Department of Biology, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada
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12
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Ventilatory and cerebrovascular regulation and integration at high-altitude. Clin Auton Res 2018; 28:423-435. [PMID: 29574504 DOI: 10.1007/s10286-018-0522-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Ascent to high-altitude elicits compensatory physiological adaptations in order to improve oxygenation throughout the body. The brain is particularly vulnerable to the hypoxemia of terrestrial altitude exposure. Herein we review the ventilatory and cerebrovascular changes at altitude and how they are both implicated in the maintenance of oxygen delivery to the brain. Further, the interdependence of ventilation and cerebral blood flow at altitude is discussed. Following the acute hypoxic ventilatory response, acclimatization leads to progressive increases in ventilation, and a partial mitigation of hypoxemia. Simultaneously, cerebral blood flow increases during initial exposure to altitude when hypoxemia is the greatest. Following ventilatory acclimatization to altitude, and an increase in hemoglobin concentration-which both underscore improvements in arterial oxygen content over time at altitude-cerebral blood flow progressively decreases back to sea-level values. The complimentary nature of these responses (ventilatory, hematological and cerebral) lead to a tightly maintained cerebral oxygen delivery while at altitude. Despite this general maintenance of global cerebral oxygen delivery, the manner in which this occurs reflects integration of these physiological responses. Indeed, ventilation directly influences cerebral blood flow by determining the prevailing blood gas and acid/base stimuli at altitude, but cerebral blood flow may also influence ventilation by altering central chemoreceptor stimulation via central CO2 washout. The causes and consequences of the integration of ventilatory and cerebral blood flow regulation at high altitude are outlined.
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13
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Caldwell HG, Ainslie PN, Ellis LA, Phillips AA, Flück D. Stability in neurovascular function at 3800 m. Physiol Behav 2017; 182:62-68. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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14
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Liu W, Liu J, Lou X, Zheng D, Wu B, Wang DJJ, Ma L. A longitudinal study of cerebral blood flow under hypoxia at high altitude using 3D pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43246. [PMID: 28240265 PMCID: PMC5327438 DOI: 10.1038/srep43246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) may occur with acute exposure to high altitude; however, the CBF of the brain parenchyma has not been studied to date. In this study, identical magnetic resonance scans using arterial spin labeling (ASL) were performed to study the haemodynamic changes at both sea level and high altitude. We found that with acute exposure to high altitude, the CBF in acute mountain sickness (AMS) subjects was higher (P < 0.05), while the CBF of non-AMS subjects was lower (P > 0.05) compared with those at sea level. Moreover, magnetic resonance angiography in both AMS and non-AMS subjects showed a significant increase in the cross-sectional areas of the internal carotid, basilar, and middle cerebral arteries on the first day at high altitude. These findings support that AMS may be related to increased CBF rather than vasodilation; these results contradict most previous studies that reported no relationship between CBF changes and the occurrence of AMS. This discrepancy may be attributed to the use of ASL for CBF measurement at both sea level and high altitude in this study, which has substantial advantages over transcranial Doppler for the assessment of CBF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjia Liu
- Department of Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Radiology, Tibet Military General Hospital, Lhasa, Tibet, China
| | - Xin Lou
- Department of Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dandan Zheng
- GE Healthcare, MR Research China, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Wu
- GE Healthcare, MR Research China, Beijing, China
| | - Danny J J Wang
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lin Ma
- Department of Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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15
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Fan JL, Subudhi AW, Duffin J, Lovering AT, Roach RC, Kayser B. AltitudeOmics: Resetting of Cerebrovascular CO2 Reactivity Following Acclimatization to High Altitude. Front Physiol 2016; 6:394. [PMID: 26779030 PMCID: PMC4705915 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2015.00394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies reported enhanced cerebrovascular CO2 reactivity upon ascent to high altitude using linear models. However, there is evidence that this response may be sigmoidal in nature. Moreover, it was speculated that these changes at high altitude are mediated by alterations in acid-base buffering. Accordingly, we reanalyzed previously published data to assess middle cerebral blood flow velocity (MCAv) responses to modified rebreathing at sea level (SL), upon ascent (ALT1) and following 16 days of acclimatization (ALT16) to 5260 m in 21 lowlanders. Using sigmoid curve fitting of the MCAv responses to CO2, we found the amplitude (95 vs. 129%, SL vs. ALT1, 95% confidence intervals (CI) [77, 112], [111, 145], respectively, P = 0.024) and the slope of the sigmoid response (4.5 vs. 7.5%/mmHg, SL vs. ALT1, 95% CIs [3.1, 5.9], [6.0, 9.0], respectively, P = 0.026) to be enhanced at ALT1, which persisted with acclimatization at ALT16 (amplitude: 177, 95% CI [139, 215], P < 0.001; slope: 10.3%/mmHg, 95% CI [8.2, 12.5], P = 0.003) compared to SL. Meanwhile, the sigmoidal response midpoint was unchanged at ALT1 (SL: 36.5 mmHg; ALT1: 35.4 mmHg, 95% CIs [34.0, 39.0], [33.1, 37.7], respectively, P = 0.982), while it was reduced by ~7 mmHg at ALT16 (28.6 mmHg, 95% CI [26.4, 30.8], P = 0.001 vs. SL), indicating leftward shift of the cerebrovascular CO2 response to a lower arterial partial pressure of CO2 (PaCO2) following acclimatization to altitude. Sigmoid fitting revealed a leftward shift in the midpoint of the cerebrovascular response curve which could not be observed with linear fitting. These findings demonstrate that there is resetting of the cerebrovascular CO2 reactivity operating point to a lower PaCO2 following acclimatization to high altitude. This cerebrovascular resetting is likely the result of an altered acid-base buffer status resulting from prolonged exposure to the severe hypocapnia associated with ventilatory acclimatization to high altitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jui-Lin Fan
- Centre for Translational Physiology, University of OtagoWellington, New Zealand; Department of Surgery and Anaesthesia, University of OtagoWellington, New Zealand
| | - Andrew W Subudhi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Altitude Research Center, University of Colorado DenverAurora, CO, USA; Department of Biology, University of Colorado Colorado SpringsColorado Springs, CO, USA
| | - James Duffin
- Department of Physiology, University of TorontoToronto, ON, Canada; Department of Anaesthesiology, University of TorontoToronto, ON, Canada; University Health NetworkToronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew T Lovering
- Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon, OR, USA
| | - Robert C Roach
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Altitude Research Center, University of Colorado DenverAurora, CO, USA; Department of Biology, University of Colorado Colorado SpringsColorado Springs, CO, USA
| | - Bengt Kayser
- Institute of Sports Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of LausanneLausanne, Switzerland; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of LausanneLausanne, Switzerland
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16
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Foster GE, Davies-Thompson J, Dominelli PB, Heran MKS, Donnelly J, duManoir GR, Ainslie PN, Rauscher A, Sheel AW. Changes in cerebral vascular reactivity and structure following prolonged exposure to high altitude in humans. Physiol Rep 2015; 3:3/12/e12647. [PMID: 26660556 PMCID: PMC4760444 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.12647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Although high‐altitude exposure can lead to neurocognitive impairment, even upon return to sea level, it remains unclear the extent to which brain volume and regional cerebral vascular reactivity (CVR) are altered following high‐altitude exposure. The purpose of this study was to simultaneously determine the effect of 3 weeks at 5050 m on: (1) structural brain alterations; and (2) regional CVR after returning to sea level for 1 week. Healthy human volunteers (n = 6) underwent baseline and follow‐up structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at rest and during a CVR protocol (end‐tidal PCO2 reduced by −10, −5 and increased by +5, +10, and +15 mmHg from baseline). CVR maps (% mmHg−1) were generated using BOLD MRI and brain volumes were estimated. Following return to sea level, whole‐brain volume and gray matter volume was reduced by 0.4 ± 0.3% (P < 0.01) and 2.6 ± 1.0% (P < 0.001), respectively; white matter was unchanged. Global gray matter CVR and white matter CVR were unchanged following return to sea level, but CVR was selectively increased (P < 0.05) in the brainstem (+30 ± 12%), hippocampus (+12 ± 3%), and thalamus (+10 ± 3%). These changes were the result of improvement and/or reversal of negative CVR to positive CVR in these regions. Three weeks of high‐altitude exposure is reflected in loss of gray matter volume and improvements in negative CVR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glen E Foster
- Centre for Heart, Lung, and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Science, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, Canada School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jodie Davies-Thompson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Paolo B Dominelli
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Manraj K S Heran
- Diagnostic and Therapeutic Neuroradiology, Vancouver General Hospital University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Joseph Donnelly
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Gregory R duManoir
- Centre for Heart, Lung, and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Science, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, Canada
| | - Philip N Ainslie
- Centre for Heart, Lung, and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Science, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, Canada
| | - Alexander Rauscher
- Department of Radiology, UBC MRI Research Centre University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - A William Sheel
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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