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Mi Y, Huang L, Liu J, Chao H, Hu W, Shan G. High-altitude resident pulmonary edema induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection in children - A case series. Int J Infect Dis 2023; 135:118-122. [PMID: 37611798 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
From December 2022 to January 2023, seven children aged ≤14 years and residing in an area at 2999 m without altitude change in the past month developed severe cough, dyspnea, cyanosis, and severe pulmonary lesions within 2-3 days after SARS-CoV-2 infection. They were diagnosed to have high-altitude resident pulmonary edema. They completely recovered following 4-7 days of treatment with oxygen inhalation, vasodilation, diuretics, and glucocorticoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumei Mi
- Department of Infectious Disease, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China; Pediatric Department, People's Hospital of Haixi Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province, Delingha, People's Republic of China
| | - Lisu Huang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jieming Liu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China; Department of Critical Care Medicine, People's Hospital of Haixi Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province, Delingha, People's Republic of China
| | - Huamao Chao
- Pediatric Department, People's Hospital of Haixi Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province, Delingha, People's Republic of China
| | - Weilin Hu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Guodong Shan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China; Department of Gastroenterology, People's Hospital of Haixi Prefecture of Qinghai Province, Delingha, People's Republic of China.
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Zubieta-Calleja GR, Zubieta-DeUrioste N, de Jesús Montelongo F, Sanchez MGR, Campoverdi AF, Rocco PRM, Battaglini D, Ball L, Pelosi P. Morphological and functional findings in COVID-19 lung disease as compared to Pneumonia, ARDS, and High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2023; 309:104000. [PMID: 36460252 PMCID: PMC9707029 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2022.104000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) may severely affect respiratory function and evolve to life-threatening hypoxia. The clinical experience led to the implementation of standardized protocols assuming similarity to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). Understanding the histopathological and functional patterns is essential to better understand the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and then develop new therapeutic strategies. Epithelial and endothelial cell damage can result from the virus attack, thus leading to immune-mediated response. Pulmonary histopathological findings show the presence of Mallory bodies, alveolar coating cells with nuclear atypia, reactive pneumocytes, reparative fibrosis, intra-alveolar hemorrhage, moderate inflammatory infiltrates, micro-abscesses, microthrombus, hyaline membrane fragments, and emphysema-like lung areas. COVID-19 patients may present different respiratory stages from silent to critical hypoxemia, are associated with the degree of pulmonary parenchymal involvement, thus yielding alteration of ventilation and perfusion relationships. This review aims to: discuss the morphological (histopathological and radiological) and functional findings of COVID-19 compared to acute interstitial pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), four entities that share common clinical traits, but have peculiar pathophysiological features with potential implications to their clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Felipe de Jesús Montelongo
- Critical and Neurointensive Care Unit and Pathology Department, Hospital General de Ecatepec “Las Américas”, Instituto de Salud del Estado de México, México
| | - Manuel Gabriel Romo Sanchez
- Critical and Neurointensive Care Unit and Pathology Department, Hospital General de Ecatepec “Las Américas”, Instituto de Salud del Estado de México, México
| | | | - Patricia Rieken Macedo Rocco
- Laboratory of Pulmonary Investigation, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,COVID-19 Virus Network, Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Denise Battaglini
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care, San Martino Policlinico Hospital, IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, Genoa, Italy,Corresponding author
| | - Lorenzo Ball
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care, San Martino Policlinico Hospital, IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, Genoa, Italy,Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paolo Pelosi
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care, San Martino Policlinico Hospital, IRCCS for Oncology and Neurosciences, Genoa, Italy,Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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Mathew T, Sarada SKS. Intonation of Nrf2 and Hif1-α pathway by curcumin prophylaxis: A potential strategy to augment survival signaling under hypoxia. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2018; 258:12-24. [PMID: 30268739 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2018.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 09/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary surfactant oxidation leads to alveolar collapse- a condition often noticed in high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). The present study was aimed to determine the effect of curcumin prophylaxis in augmenting the phase II antioxidant enzymes and surfactant proteins expression in enabling the pulmonary surfactant homeostasis under hypoxia. METHODS A549 cells were exposed to 3% hypoxia for different time durations (1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h). The Cells were pretreated (1 h) with 10 μM curcumin and exposed to hypoxia. The in-vivo results were extrapolated into in-vivo system using male Sprague Dawley rats, exposed to a stimulated altitude of 7620 m for 6 h. The rats were supplemented with curcumin (50 mg/kgBW) 1 h prior to hypoxia exposure. RESULTS Results showed that, the expression of surfactant proteins (SPs) A and B decreased from 3 h of hypoxic exposure, whereas expression of SP-C and SP-D proteins were increased within 1 h of hypoxic exposure over control cells. Hypoxic exposure resulted into significant increase in protein and lipid peroxidation (p < 0.001), reduced levels of antioxidants (GSH, GPx and SOD) (p < 0.001) along with significant down regulation of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in A549 cells over control. However, the curcumin supplementation both in-vitro and in-vivo resulted into increased expressions of HO-1 and Nrf2 significantly (p < 0.001), which enabled the cells in balanced expression of SPs with reduced levels of oxidants. Further curcumin significantly enhanced the levels of antioxidant enzymes in BALF along with stabilized expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1(HIF-1α) followed by reduced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in lungs of rats. The immunohistochemistry observations provided substantial evidence of enhanced surfactant protein expressions in lungs of curcumin administered hypoxia exposed rats. CONCLUSION These results indicate that curcumin augment survival signaling by reinforcing the induction of phase II antioxidant enzymes thereby enabling the pulmonary surfactant homeostasis under hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Titto Mathew
- Haematology Division, Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Timarpur, Delhi- 54, India
| | - S K S Sarada
- Haematology Division, Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Timarpur, Delhi- 54, India.
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Liptzin DR, Abman SH, Giesenhagen A, Ivy DD. An Approach to Children with Pulmonary Edema at High Altitude. High Alt Med Biol 2018; 19:91-98. [PMID: 29470103 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2017.0096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Liptzin, Deborah R., Steven H. Abman, Ann Giesenhagen, and D. Dunbar Ivy. An approach to children with pulmonary edema at high altitude. High Alt Med Biol. 19:91-98, 2018. INTRODUCTION Diagnosis of high-altitude illness can be more challenging in children, especially those who are preverbal. Families often travel to high elevations for family vacations, either for skiing, hiking, and/or camping. They may present to their primary care providers looking for anticipatory guidance before travel or may follow-up after developing high-altitude illness. High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) can be fatal. OBSERVATIONS There is no indication for HAPE prophylaxis in altitude naive children. Children may develop HAPE either when traveling from low altitude to high altitude for vacation (classic HAPE), when returning to high-altitude homes after travel to low altitude (reentry HAPE), or even with a respiratory illness at high altitude without any change in elevation (high-altitude resident pulmonary edema or HARPE). Children may be more susceptible to HAPE because of increased vascular reactivity, immature control of breathing, and increased frequency of respiratory illnesses. Children with HAPE warrant evaluation for underlying cardiopulmonary abnormalities, including structural heart disease and pulmonary hypertension. Treatment of HAPE includes supplemental oxygen and descent, but underlying cardiopulmonary disease may also help guide treatment and prevention. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Evaluation for structural heart disease and pulmonary hypertension should be considered in children with HAPE. Future studies should be done to elucidate the optimal strategies for prevention and treatment of HAPE and to better understand the development of HAPE in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah R Liptzin
- 1 Breathing Institute and Pediatric Heart-Lung Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado , Aurora, Colorado
| | - Steven H Abman
- 1 Breathing Institute and Pediatric Heart-Lung Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado , Aurora, Colorado
| | - Ann Giesenhagen
- 2 Heart Institute and Pediatric Heart-Lung Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado , Aurora, Colorado
| | - D Dunbar Ivy
- 2 Heart Institute and Pediatric Heart-Lung Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado , Aurora, Colorado
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Droma Y, Kato A, Ichiyama T, Kobayashi N, Honda T, Uehara T, Hanaoka M. Electron Microscopy Observation of Human Pulmonary Ultrastructure in Two Patients with High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema. High Alt Med Biol 2017; 18:288-291. [PMID: 28876136 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2016.0163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined the pulmonary ultrastructure in tissue from two patients with high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) by electron microscopy. In one case, we found that neutrophils were trapped in pulmonary capillary lumen of alveolar-capillary wall and part of the cytoplasm of a neutrophil protruded and adhered to the capillary endothelium. There were several degranulated vacuoles in the cytoplasm of the neutrophil. The pulmonary capillary wall was deformed, thickened, and swollen and there was evidence of degeneration. In another case, infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages, proliferation of type II pneumocytes, and numerous red blood cells were also observed in alveolar air space. These electron microscopic ultrastructural observations illustrate for the first time damage to the pulmonary alveolar-capillary barrier in lung tissue of humans with advanced HAPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunden Droma
- 1 First Department of Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine , Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Akane Kato
- 1 First Department of Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine , Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Takashi Ichiyama
- 1 First Department of Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine , Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Nobumitsu Kobayashi
- 1 First Department of Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine , Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Takayuki Honda
- 2 Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine , Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Takeshi Uehara
- 2 Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine , Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Masayuki Hanaoka
- 1 First Department of Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine , Matsumoto, Japan
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Orgeig S, Morrison JL, Daniels CB. Evolution, Development, and Function of the Pulmonary Surfactant System in Normal and Perturbed Environments. Compr Physiol 2015; 6:363-422. [PMID: 26756637 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c150003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Surfactant lipids and proteins form a surface active film at the air-liquid interface of internal gas exchange organs, including swim bladders and lungs. The system is uniquely positioned to meet both the physical challenges associated with a dynamically changing internal air-liquid interface, and the environmental challenges associated with the foreign pathogens and particles to which the internal surface is exposed. Lungs range from simple, transparent, bag-like units to complex, multilobed, compartmentalized structures. Despite this anatomical variability, the surfactant system is remarkably conserved. Here, we discuss the evolutionary origin of the surfactant system, which likely predates lungs. We describe the evolution of surfactant structure and function in invertebrates and vertebrates. We focus on changes in lipid and protein composition and surfactant function from its antiadhesive and innate immune to its alveolar stability and structural integrity functions. We discuss the biochemical, hormonal, autonomic, and mechanical factors that regulate normal surfactant secretion in mature animals. We present an analysis of the ontogeny of surfactant development among the vertebrates and the contribution of different regulatory mechanisms that control this development. We also discuss environmental (oxygen), hormonal and biochemical (glucocorticoids and glucose) and pollutant (maternal smoking, alcohol, and common "recreational" drugs) effects that impact surfactant development. On the adult surfactant system, we focus on environmental variables including temperature, pressure, and hypoxia that have shaped its evolution and we discuss the resultant biochemical, biophysical, and cellular adaptations. Finally, we discuss the effect of major modern gaseous and particulate pollutants on the lung and surfactant system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Orgeig
- School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences and Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Janna L Morrison
- School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences and Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Christopher B Daniels
- School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences and Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
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Papamatheakis DG, Blood AB, Kim JH, Wilson SM. Antenatal hypoxia and pulmonary vascular function and remodeling. Curr Vasc Pharmacol 2014; 11:616-40. [PMID: 24063380 DOI: 10.2174/1570161111311050006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2012] [Revised: 06/25/2012] [Accepted: 07/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
This review provides evidence that antenatal hypoxia, which represents a significant and worldwide problem, causes prenatal programming of the lung. A general overview of lung development is provided along with some background regarding transcriptional and signaling systems of the lung. The review illustrates that antenatal hypoxic stress can induce a continuum of responses depending on the species examined. Fetuses and newborns of certain species and specific human populations are well acclimated to antenatal hypoxia. However, antenatal hypoxia causes pulmonary vascular disease in fetuses and newborns of most mammalian species and humans. Disease can range from mild pulmonary hypertension, to severe vascular remodeling and dangerous elevations in pressure. The timing, length, and magnitude of the intrauterine hypoxic stress are important to disease development, however there is also a genetic-environmental relationship that is not yet completely understood. Determining the origins of pulmonary vascular remodeling and pulmonary hypertension and their associated effects is a challenging task, but is necessary in order to develop targeted therapies for pulmonary hypertension in the newborn due to antenatal hypoxia that can both treat the symptoms and curtail or reverse disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demosthenes G Papamatheakis
- Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, 11234 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, 92350 CA, USA.
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High-altitude pulmonary edema is associated with coagulation and fibrinolytic abnormalities. Am J Med Sci 2012; 344:186-9. [PMID: 22222332 DOI: 10.1097/maj.0b013e31823e5ee4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) can develop in unacclimatized persons after acute ascent to high altitude and is associated with fibrinolytic and coagulation abnormalities. The authors investigated whether fibrinolytic and coagulation abnormalities were associated with the severity of HAPE. METHODS Sixty-one patients who developed HAPE after acute ascent to altitudes above 3600 m were recruited. Twenty unacclimatized controls who acutely ascended to the same altitude and 20 acclimatized inhabitants served as controls. Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels were measured using chromogenic substrate assays. Plasma fibrinogen concentration was determined by the sodium sulphite fractionation method. The concentrations of fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) and D-dimer were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS The plasma concentrations of D-dimer, fibrinogen, FDP and t-PA and PAI-1 were significantly higher in patients with HAPE than controls. In addition, these abnormalities were correlated with the severity of HAPE. The plasma concentrations of D-dimer and fibrinogen recovered to normal upon recovery from HAPE while t-PA, PAI-1 and FDP levels in HAPE patients still remained significantly increased over those of unacclimatized controls. CONCLUSION The development of HAPE is associated with abnormalities in the fibrinolysis and coagulation system, and these abnormalities correlate with the severity of HAPE.
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Saxena S, Kumar R, Madan T, Gupta V, Muralidhar K, Sarma PU. Association of polymorphisms in pulmonary surfactant protein A1 and A2 genes with high-altitude pulmonary edema. Chest 2005; 128:1611-9. [PMID: 16162765 DOI: 10.1378/chest.128.3.1611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES A potential pathogenetic cofactor for the development of high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is an increase in capillary permeability, which could occur as a result of an inflammatory reaction and/or free-radical-mediated injury to the lung. Pulmonary surfactant protein A (SP-A), the most abundant surfactant protein, has potent antioxidant properties and protects unsaturated phospholipids and growing cells from oxidative injury. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SP-A1 and SP-A2, genes encoding SP-A, have been associated with susceptibility to respiratory distress syndrome, COPD, and pulmonary infections. In view of the protective role of SP-A against inflammatory reactions and oxidative damage, the two underlying mechanisms in development of HAPE, we examined the association of constitutional susceptibility to HAPE with polymorphisms in SP-A1 and SP-A2. DESIGN A cross-sectional case-control study. SETTING Blood samples were collected at an altitude (> or = 3,500 m). PARTICIPANTS Twelve low-altitude native (LAN) subjects with a history of HAPE, 15 healthy LAN sojourners without a history of HAPE (LAN control subjects), and 19 healthy high-altitude natives (HANs) without a history of HAPE (HAN control subjects). MEASUREMENTS The SNPs in four exons and intermediate introns of the SP-A1 and SP-A2 were screened by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Biochemical parameters related to oxidative stress (malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione in RBC) and membrane permeability (circulating levels of lactate dehydrogenase) were measured in plasma. RESULTS Allele frequencies of three loci in SP-A1 and one in SP-A2 were significantly different between LAN HAPE patients (SP-A1 C1101T: C allele, 36.4% and T allele, 63.6%; SP-A1 T3192C: T allele, 61.1% and C allele, 38.9%; SP-A1 T3234C: T allele, 61.1% and C allele, 38.9%; and SP-A2 A3265C: A allele, 21.4% and C allele, 78.6%) and LAN control subjects (SP-A1 C1101T: C allele, 8.3% and T allele, 91.7%; SP-A1 T3192C: T allele, 15% and C allele, 85%; SP-A1 T3234C: T allele, 15% and C allele, 85%; and SP-A2 A3265C: A allele, 37.5% and C allele, 62.5%) [C1101T odds ratio [OR], 6.3 with 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.8 to 14.3; T3192C OR, 8.9 with 95% CI, 4.5 to 17.6; T3234C OR, 8.9 with 95% CI, 4.5 to 17.6; and A3265C OR, 2.2 with 95% CI, 1.2 to 4.1 (p < or = 0.01)]. Heterozygous individuals, with respect to SP-A1 C1101T and SP-A2 A3265C, showed less severity in oxidative damage in comparison with homozygous subjects (SP-A1 T1101 and SP-A2 C3265). CONCLUSION The polymorphisms in SP-A1 (C1101T, T3192C, and T3234C) and SP-A2 (A3265C) might be one of the genetic factors contributing to susceptibility to HAPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Saxena
- Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi, India
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Hanaoka M, Droma Y, Naramoto A, Honda T, Kobayashi T, Kubo K. Vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with high-altitude pulmonary edema. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2003; 94:1836-40. [PMID: 12524373 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00575.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
To examine the role of VEGF in the pathogenesis of high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), we measured the concentrations of VEGF in venous serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in patients with HAPE and in healthy volunteers. The VEGF in venous serum of the patients was normal at admission and significantly increased at recovery. Similarly, the VEGF in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the patients was increased at recovery compared with admission, but values at both admission and recovery were significantly lower than those of the controls. The present finding suggests that VEGF probably is destroyed in the lung of HAPE, and it appears less likely to have a critical part in the pathogenesis of HAPE but has rather an important role in the repair process for the impaired cell layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Hanaoka
- First Department of Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan.
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