Biomarker and physiological parameters that can be used to predict high altitude illness

Physiological and biochemical processes that play a role in the formation of the disease are tried to be clarified in order to detect individuals who are prone to high altitude disease. In this study, 8 different biomarkers (BNP, HIF-1α, NGAL, MMP-3, MMP-9, SESN2, Substance P, U-II) that have been used to investigate hypoxia, pulmonary hypertension, acute heart failure and inflammation processes have been evaluated and their relationship with High Altitude Illness has been investigated. In the first camp area at 2200 meters, vital signs were measured, venous blood samples were taken and Lake Louise Score were made for 52 people who participated in the training climb organized by the Turkish Mountaineering Federation in Rize. Measurement of vital signs and Lake Loise Score were repeated in the second campground at higher altitude of the individuals with no disease detected in this campground. According to this, the climbers group was divided into two groups as acute mountain sickness (AMS+) and non-acute mountain sickness (AMS -) and the data obtained were evaluated comparatively. The average age of the mountaineer team of 52 people evaluated is 34.58 ± 11.53 and the lowest is 20, the highest is 61. A total of 13 people (25%), including 6 women and 7 men, were diagnosed with Acute Mountain Sickness. MMP-9 and Substance P were higher in the group with Acute Mountain Sickness (p=0.037 and p=0.038) at first campground than the markers studied in the study, while the other results were not statistically different at both altitudes. In the physiological parameters, oxygen saturation decreased as altitude increased (p<0.01), pulse rate increased (p<0.01), systolic and diastolic blood pressure were found to be no significant difference (p=0.238 and p=0.484) MMP-9 and Substance P were found higher in the group of patients in a mild hypoxic stress environment and it was thought that these biomarkers could be used to predict disease. In addition, physiological responses such as hypoxia and tachycardia that occur when reaching high altitude did not differ between AMS+ and AMS - groups.