Changes in plasma electrolytes during acclimatization at high altitude. 1996

D A Khan, and M Aslam, and Z U Khan
Department of Chemical Pathology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi.

The effects on plasma electrolytes and related hormones were determined in non-acclimatized low lander males, exposed for 96 hours to an altitude of 4424 meters. Twenty healthy soldiers aged 18-34 years travelled by road from an altitude of 2303 meters to 4424 meters over a period of 10 hours. Plasma sodium levels (142.09 +/- 1.14 mmol/1) and aldosterone (16.61 +/- 5.70 ng/ml) decreased to 139.69 mmol/1 and 11.6 +/- 4.60 ug/ml respectively after 96 hours of acute exposure to high altitude (p < 0.05). The plasma potassium and chloride levels did not show significant change, while, plasma HCO3 decreased gradually from 21.06 +/- 1.38 mmol/1 to 18.55 +/- 0.82 mmol/1 after 96 hours exposure to this altitude (p < 0.01). The plasma ionized calcium and plasma phosphate concentration decreased from 1.32 +/- 0.11 mmol/1 and 1.58 +/- 1.3 mmol/1 to 1.20 +/- 0.05 mmol/1 and 1.47 +/- 0.99 mmol/1 respectively (p < 0.05). Plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH) level increased from 4.54 +/- 2.1 ng/ml to 11.19 +/- 4.31 ng/ml after 48 hours with subsequent decline to 2.52 +/- 1.7 ng/ml after 96 hours exposure to high altitude. It may be concluded that the process of acclimatization to sudden exposure to high altitude is characterised by fall in plasma aldosterone and PTH with subsequent decrease of related electrolytes.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D010281 Parathyroid Hormone A polypeptide hormone (84 amino acid residues) secreted by the PARATHYROID GLANDS which performs the essential role of maintaining intracellular CALCIUM levels in the body. Parathyroid hormone increases intracellular calcium by promoting the release of CALCIUM from BONE, increases the intestinal absorption of calcium, increases the renal tubular reabsorption of calcium, and increases the renal excretion of phosphates. Natpara,PTH (1-84),PTH(1-34),Parathormone,Parathyrin,Parathyroid Hormone (1-34),Parathyroid Hormone (1-84),Parathyroid Hormone Peptide (1-34),Hormone, Parathyroid
D004573 Electrolytes Substances that dissociate into two or more ions, to some extent, in water. Solutions of electrolytes thus conduct an electric current and can be decomposed by it (ELECTROLYSIS). (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed) Electrolyte
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000064 Acclimatization Adaptation to a new environment or to a change in the old. Acclimation
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000450 Aldosterone A hormone secreted by the ADRENAL CORTEX that regulates electrolyte and water balance by increasing the renal retention of sodium and the excretion of potassium. Aldosterone, (+-)-Isomer,Aldosterone, (11 beta,17 alpha)-Isomer
D000532 Altitude Sickness Multiple symptoms associated with reduced oxygen at high ALTITUDE. Mountain Sickness,Altitude Hypoxia,Altitude Hypoxias,Hypoxia, Altitude,Sickness, Altitude,Sickness, Mountain
D014882 Water-Electrolyte Balance The balance of fluid in the BODY FLUID COMPARTMENTS; total BODY WATER; BLOOD VOLUME; EXTRACELLULAR SPACE; INTRACELLULAR SPACE, maintained by processes in the body that regulate the intake and excretion of WATER and ELECTROLYTES, particularly SODIUM and POTASSIUM. Fluid Balance,Electrolyte Balance,Balance, Electrolyte,Balance, Fluid,Balance, Water-Electrolyte,Water Electrolyte Balance

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