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Li L, Lin L, Wen B, Zhao PC, Liu DS, Pang GM, Wang ZR, Tan Y, Lu C. Promising Natural Medicines for the Treatment of High-Altitude Illness. High Alt Med Biol 2023; 24:175-185. [PMID: 37504973 PMCID: PMC10516238 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2022.0139] [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: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Li Li, Lin Lin, Bo Wen, Peng-cheng Zhao, Da-sheng Liu, Guo-ming Pang, Zi-rong Wang, Yong Tan, and Cheng Lu. Promising natural medicines for the treatment of high-altitude illness. High Alt Med Biol. 24:175-185, 2023.-High-altitude illness (HAI) is a dangerous disease characterized by oxidative stress, inflammatory damage and hemodynamic changes in the body that can lead to severe damage to the lungs, heart, and brain. Natural medicines are widely known for their multiple active ingredients and pharmacological effects, which may be important in the treatment of HAI. In this review, we outline the specific types of HAI and the underlying pathological mechanisms and summarize the currently documented natural medicines applied in the treatment of acute mountain sickness and high-altitude cerebral edema, high-altitude pulmonary edema, chronic mountain sickness, and high-altitude pulmonary hypertension. Their sources, types, and medicinal sites are summarized, and their active ingredients, pharmacological effects, related mechanisms, and potential toxicity are discussed. In conclusion, natural medicines, as an acceptable complementary and alternative strategy with fewer side effects and more long-term application, can provide a reference for developing more natural antialtitude sickness medicines in the future and have good application prospects in HAI treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Lin
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Wen
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Peng-cheng Zhao
- School of Life Science, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Da-sheng Liu
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guo-ming Pang
- Kaifeng Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Kaifeng, China
| | - Zi-rong Wang
- Logistics Support Division, National Immigration Administration, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Tan
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng Lu
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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Long C, Bao H. Study of high-altitude cerebral edema using multimodal imaging. Front Neurol 2023; 13:1041280. [PMID: 36776573 PMCID: PMC9909194 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1041280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To analyze the brain imaging features of high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) using computed tomography (CT) and multi-sequence magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to explore its injury characteristics. Materials and methods We selected 30 patients with HACE diagnosed between January 2012 to August 2022 as the experimental group and 60 patients with dizziness on traveling from the plain to the plateau or from lower altitude to higher altitude in a short period of time as the control group. We collected general clinical data from the experimental group and classified it according to clinical symptoms. In both groups, we then performed a head CT and multi-sequence MRI (T1WI, T2WI, FLAIR, and DWI). Among them, nine patients with HACE were also scanned using susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI). Finally, we analyzed the images. Results According to clinical symptoms, we divided the 30 cases of HACE into 12 mild cases and 18 severe cases. There was no significant difference in sex, age, leukocyte, neutrophil, or glucose content between mild and severe HACE. The sensitivity and specificity of the MRI diagnosis were 100 and 100%, respectively, while the sensitivity and specificity of the CT diagnosis were 23.3 and 100%, respectively. The distribution range of deep and juxtacortical white matter edema was significantly larger in severe HACE than in mild HACE (p < 0.001). The corpus callosum edema distribution range in severe HACE was significantly larger than that in mild HACE (p = 0.001). The ADC value of the splenium of the corpus callosum was significantly lower in severe HACE than in mild HACE (p = 0.049). In mild and severe HACE, the signal intensity of the DWI sequence was significantly higher than that of conventional MRI sequences (T1WI, T2WI, FLAIR) (p = 0.008, p = 0.025, respectively). In severe HACE, seven cases showed bilateral corticospinal tract edema at the thalamic level, and SWI showed cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in five cases, especially in the corpus callosum. Conclusions MRI has more advantages than CT in the evaluation of HACE, especially in the DWI sequence. The white matter injury of severe HACE is more severe and extensive, especially in the corpus callosum, and some CMBs and corticospinal tract edema may also appear.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Haihua Bao
- Department of Medical Imaging Center, Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital, Xining, China
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Falla M, Giardini G, Angelini C. Recommendations for traveling to altitude with neurological disorders. J Cent Nerv Syst Dis 2021; 13:11795735211053448. [PMID: 34955663 PMCID: PMC8695750 DOI: 10.1177/11795735211053448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several neurological conditions might worsen with the exposure to high altitude (HA). The aim of this review was to summarize the available knowledge on the neurological HA illnesses and the risk for people with neurological disorders to attend HA locations. METHODS A search of literature was conducted for several neurological disorders in PubMed and other databases since 1970. The neurological conditions searched were migraine, different cerebrovascular disease, intracranial space occupying mass, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathies, neuromuscular disorders, epileptic seizures, delirium, dementia, and Parkinson's disease (PD). RESULTS Attempts were made to classify the risk posed by each condition and to provide recommendations regarding medical evaluation and advice for or against traveling to altitude. Individual cases should be advised after careful examination and risk evaluation performed either in an outpatient mountain medicine service or by a physician with knowledge of HA risks. Preliminary diagnostic methods and anticipation of neurological complications are needed. CONCLUSIONS Our recommendations suggest absolute contraindications to HA exposure for the following neurological conditions: (1) Unstable conditions-such as recent strokes, (2) Diabetic neuropathy, (3) Transient ischemic attack in the last month, (4) Brain tumors, and 5. Neuromuscular disorders with a decrease of forced vital capacity >60%. We consider the following relative contraindications where decision has to be made case by case: (1) Epilepsy based on recurrence of seizure and stabilization with the therapy, (2) PD (± obstructive sleep apnea syndrome-OSAS), (3) Mild Cognitive Impairment (± OSAS), and (4) Patent foramen ovale and migraine have to be considered risk factors for acute mountain sickness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Falla
- Institute of Mountain Emergency
Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences,
CIMeC, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Guido Giardini
- Mountain Medicine and Neurology
Centre, Valle D’Aosta Regional
Hospital, Aosta, Italy
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Cai W, Liu S, Liu Z, Hou S, Lv Q, Cui H, Wang X, Zhang Y, Fan H, Ding H. Downregulation of lung miR-203a-3p expression by high-altitude hypoxia enhances VEGF/Notch signaling. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:4247-4267. [PMID: 32112644 PMCID: PMC7093161 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Hypoxia-related microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Because potential variations in miRNA expression mediated by hypoxic lung injury at high altitude remain incompletely characterized, we used a rat model to investigate the biochemical and miRNA changes induced by high-altitude hypoxia. After 24, 48, or 72 h of hypoxic exposure, expression of VEGF/Notch pathway-related proteins were increased in rat lung tissues. Microarray screening of hypoxic lung samples revealed 57 differentially expressed miRNAs, 19 of which were related to the VEGF/Notch signaling pathway. We verified that the top downregulated miRNA (miR-203a-3p) suppresses VEGF-A translation through direct binding and also indirectly reduces Notch1, VEGFR2, and Hes1 levels, which restricts the angiogenic capacity of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells in vitro. These findings may aid in the development of new therapeutic strategies for the prevention and treatment of hypoxic lung injury at high altitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Cai
- School of Disaster Medical Research, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Logistics University of Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin 300162, China
| | - Sanli Liu
- School of Disaster Medical Research, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,Logistics University of Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin 300162, China.,Health Company, 95985 Troops of PLA, Kaifeng 475000, Henan province, China
| | - Ziquan Liu
- School of Disaster Medical Research, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Shike Hou
- School of Disaster Medical Research, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Qi Lv
- School of Disaster Medical Research, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Huanhuan Cui
- School of Disaster Medical Research, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Xue Wang
- Characteristic Medical Center of Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin 300162, China
| | - Yuxin Zhang
- Medical Team of the Third Detachment of Beijing Armed Police Corp, Beijing 100000, China
| | - Haojun Fan
- School of Disaster Medical Research, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Hui Ding
- School of Disaster Medical Research, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.,The Second Hospital Affiliated Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Shaanxi province, Xianyang 710054, China
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Molano Franco D, Nieto Estrada VH, Gonzalez Garay AG, Martí‐Carvajal AJ, Arevalo‐Rodriguez I. Interventions for preventing high altitude illness: Part 3. Miscellaneous and non-pharmacological interventions. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019; 4:CD013315. [PMID: 31012483 PMCID: PMC6477878 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High altitude illness (HAI) is a term used to describe a group of mainly cerebral and pulmonary syndromes that can occur during travel to elevations above 2500 metres (˜ 8200 feet). Acute mountain sickness (AMS), high altitude cerebral oedema (HACE), and high altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE) are reported as potential medical problems associated with high altitude ascent. In this, the third of a series of three reviews about preventive strategies for HAI, we assessed the effectiveness of miscellaneous and non-pharmacological interventions. OBJECTIVES To assess the clinical effectiveness and adverse events of miscellaneous and non-pharmacological interventions for preventing acute HAI in people who are at risk of developing high altitude illness in any setting. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP) in January 2019. We adapted the MEDLINE strategy for searching the other databases. We used a combination of thesaurus-based and free-text search terms. We scanned the reference lists and citations of included trials and any relevant systematic reviews that we identified for further references to additional trials. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomized controlled trials conducted in any setting where non-pharmacological and miscellaneous interventions were employed to prevent acute HAI, including preacclimatization measures and the administration of non-pharmacological supplements. We included trials involving participants who are at risk of developing high altitude illness (AMS or HACE, or HAPE, or both). We included participants with, and without, a history of high altitude illness. We applied no age or gender restrictions. We included trials where the relevant intervention was administered before the beginning of ascent. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used the standard methodological procedures employed by Cochrane. MAIN RESULTS We included 20 studies (1406 participants, 21 references) in this review. Thirty studies (14 ongoing, and 16 pending classification (awaiting)) will be considered in future versions of this suite of three reviews as appropriate. We report the results for the primary outcome of this review (risk of AMS) by each group of assessed interventions.Group 1. Preacclimatization and other measures based on pressureUse of simulated altitude or remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) might not improve the risk of AMS on subsequent exposure to altitude, but this effect is uncertain (simulated altitude: risk ratio (RR) 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.82 to 1.71; I² = 0%; 3 trials, 140 participants; low-quality evidence. RIPC: RR 3.0, 95% CI 0.69 to 13.12; 1 trial, 40 participants; low-quality evidence). We found evidence of improvement of this risk using positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), but this information was derived from a cross-over trial with a limited number of participants (OR 3.67, 95% CI 1.38 to 9.76; 1 trial, 8 participants; low-quality evidence). We found scarcity of evidence about the risk of adverse events for these interventions.Group 2. Supplements and vitaminsSupplementation of antioxidants, medroxyprogesterone, iron or Rhodiola crenulata might not improve the risk of AMS on exposure to high altitude, but this effect is uncertain (antioxidants: RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.32 to 1.03; 1 trial, 18 participants; low-quality evidence. Medroxyprogesterone: RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.05; I² = 0%; 2 trials, 32 participants; low-quality evidence. Iron: RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.11; I² = 0%; 2 trials, 65 participants; low-quality evidence. R crenulata: RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.29; 1 trial, 125 participants; low-quality evidence). We found evidence of improvement of this risk with the administration of erythropoietin, but this information was extracted from a trial with issues related to risk of bias and imprecision (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.84; 1 trial, 39 participants; very low-quality evidence). Regarding administration of ginkgo biloba, we did not perform a pooled estimation of RR for AMS due to considerable heterogeneity between the included studies (I² = 65%). RR estimates from the individual studies were conflicting (from 0.05 to 1.03; low-quality evidence). We found scarcity of evidence about the risk of adverse events for these interventions.Group 3. Other comparisonsWe found heterogeneous evidence regarding the risk of AMS when ginkgo biloba was compared with acetazolamide (I² = 63%). RR estimates from the individual studies were conflicting (estimations from 0.11 (95% CI 0.01 to 1.86) to 2.97 (95% CI 1.70 to 5.21); low-quality evidence). We found evidence of improvement when ginkgo biloba was administered along with acetazolamide, but this information was derived from a single trial with issues associated to risk of bias (compared to ginkgo biloba alone: RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.71; 1 trial, 311 participants; low-quality evidence). Administration of medroxyprogesterone plus acetazolamide did not improve the risk of AMS when compared to administration of medroxyprogesterone or acetazolamide alone (RR 1.33, 95% CI 0.50 to 3.55; 1 trial, 12 participants; low-quality evidence). We found scarcity of evidence about the risk of adverse events for these interventions. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS This Cochrane Review is the final in a series of three providing relevant information to clinicians, and other interested parties, on how to prevent high altitude illness. The assessment of non-pharmacological and miscellaneous interventions suggests that there is heterogeneous and even contradictory evidence related to the effectiveness of these prophylactic strategies. Safety of these interventions remains as an unclear issue due to lack of assessment. Overall, the evidence is limited due to its quality (low to very low), the relative paucity of that evidence and the number of studies pending classification for the three reviews belonging to this series (30 studies either awaiting classification or ongoing). Additional studies, especially those comparing with pharmacological alternatives (such as acetazolamide) are required, in order to establish or refute the strategies evaluated in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Molano Franco
- Fundacion Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud, Hospital de San JoséDepartment of Critical CareCarrera 19 # 8‐32BogotaBogotaColombia11001
| | - Víctor H Nieto Estrada
- Los Cobos Medical Centre. Grupo Investigacion GRIBOSDepartment of Critical CareBogotaBogotaColombia
| | | | | | - Ingrid Arevalo‐Rodriguez
- Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP)Clinical Biostatistics UnitCtra. Colmenar Km. 9,100MadridSpain28034
- Cochrane Associate Centre of MadridMadridSpain
- Centro de Investigación en Salud Pública y Epidemiología Clínica (CISPEC). Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud Eugenio Espejo, Universidad Tecnológica EquinoccialCochrane EcuadorQuitoEcuador
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Hou Y, Wang X, Chen X, Zhang J, Ai X, Liang Y, Yu Y, Zhang Y, Meng X, Kuang T, Hu Y. Establishment and evaluation of a simulated high‑altitude hypoxic brain injury model in SD rats. Mol Med Rep 2019; 19:2758-2766. [PMID: 30720143 PMCID: PMC6423628 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.9939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was conducted to establish a stable hypobaric hypoxia brain injury model. SD rats were randomly separated into control and model groups, and placed outside or inside of a hypobaric chamber, respectively. Subsequent to 24 h anoxic exposure, plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured using commercial biochemical kits. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), Nissl's and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining were used to observe the morphology of neurons in the hippocampus. The protein expression levels of apoptotic protease activating factor-1 (Apaf-1), hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and cytochrome c (cyto-c) were detected using western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses. Hypoxic substantially induced morphological lesions in the hippocampus concomitant with the physical behavioral performance deficit. Furthermore, hypoxia markedly exacerbated the levels of MDA, LDH and GSSG, and restrained GSH (P<0.01) and SOD (P<0.05) levels compared with the control group. In addition, hypoxia significantly induced the protein expression of Apaf-1, HIF-1α, caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, Bax and Cyto-c (P<0.01) compared with the control group. Finally, a lower number and volume of Nissl bodies were verified in the hypoxic group. TUNEL results demonstrated a greater number of apoptotic cells in the hypoxic group. The present study demonstrates a model of rat hypoxic brain injuries induced by a hypobaric chamber at 9,000 m for 24 h. Furthermore, the redox enzyme, HIF-1α and mitochondrial apoptosis-associated protein, along with H&E and Nissl's staining, may be applied to evaluate the degree of injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya Hou
- Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wenjiang, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, P.R. China
| | - Xiaobo Wang
- Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wenjiang, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, P.R. China
| | - Xiaorui Chen
- Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wenjiang, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, P.R. China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Tibetan Medicine, Ethnic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wenjiang, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, P.R. China
| | - Xiaopeng Ai
- Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wenjiang, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, P.R. China
| | - Yusheng Liang
- Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wenjiang, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, P.R. China
| | - Yangyang Yu
- Department of Tibetan Medicine, Ethnic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wenjiang, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, P.R. China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Tibetan Medicine, Ethnic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wenjiang, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, P.R. China
| | - Xianli Meng
- Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wenjiang, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, P.R. China
| | - Tingting Kuang
- Department of Tibetan Medicine, Ethnic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wenjiang, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, P.R. China
| | - Yao Hu
- Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wenjiang, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, P.R. China
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