Search

Relationship of ovarian hormones to hypoxemia in women residents of 4,300 m. Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol 280: R488-R493, 2001.--Prevalence of excessive erythrocytosis, the main sign of chronic mountain sickness (CMS), is greater in postmenopausal Andean women than in premenopausal women. It is uncertain whether this greater prevalence is related to the decline in female hormones and ventilatory function after the occurrence of the menopause. To study this, we compared the physiological variables involved in the physiopathology of CMS [end-tidal [CO.sub.2] ([MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], Torr) and end-tidal [O.sub.2] ([MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], Torr), arterial oxygen saturation ([MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], %), and Hb concentration (g/dl)] and progesterone and estradiol levels between postmenopausal and premenopausal women, both in the luteal and follicular phases. Women residing in Cerro de Pasco (n = 33; 4,300 m) aged 26-62 yr were studied. Postmenopausal women compared with premenopausal women in the luteal phase had lower [MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] (48 [+ or -] 4 vs. 53 [+ or -] 2 Torr, P = 0.005) and [MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] levels (82 [+ or -] 12 vs. 88 [+ or -] 12%, P [is less than] 0.005) and higher [MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] (34 [+ or -] 2 vs. 29 [+ or -] 3 Torr, P = 0.005) and Hb concentration (19 [+ or -] 1 vs. 14 [+ or -] 2 g/dl, P [is less than] 0.005). In addition, plasma progesterone was negatively correlated with [MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] and positively correlated with [MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] and [MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSION NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. No clear relationship was found among the cycle phases between estradiol and the variables studied. In conclusion, our results reveal that, before menopause, there is better oxygenation and lower Hb levels in women long residing at altitude, and this is associated with higher levels of progesterone in the luteal phase of the cycle. menopause; chronic mountain sickness; end-tidal oxygen pressure; end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure; polycythemia; oxygen saturation

For over 10,000 years, Andeans have resided at high altitude where the partial pressure of oxygen challenges human survival. Recent studies have provided evidence for positive selection acting in Andeans on the HIF2A (also known as EPAS1) locus, which encodes for a central transcription factor of the hypoxia-inducible factor pathway. However, the precise mechanism by which this allele might lead to altitude-adaptive phenotypes, if any, is unknown. By analyzing whole genome sequencing data from 46 high-coverage Peruvian Andean genomes, we confirm evidence for positive selection acting on HIF2A and a unique pattern of variation surrounding the Andean-specific single nucleotide variant (SNV), rs570553380, which encodes for an H194R amino acid substitution in HIF-2α. Genotyping the Andean-associated SNV rs570553380 in a group of 299 Peruvian Andeans from Cerro de Pasco, Peru (4,338 m), reveals a positive association with increased fraction of exhaled nitric oxide, a marker of nitric oxide biosynthesis. In vitro assays show that the H194R mutation impairs binding of HIF-2α to its heterodimeric partner, aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator. A knockin mouse model bearing the H194R mutation in the Hif2a gene displays decreased levels of hypoxia-induced pulmonary Endothelin-1 transcripts and protection against hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. We conclude the Andean H194R HIF2A allele is a hypomorphic (partial loss of function) allele., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution.)

High-altitude adaptation is a classic example of natural selection operating on the human genome. Physiological and genetic adaptations have been documented in populations with a history of living at high altitude. However, the role of epigenetic gene regulation, including DNA methylation, in high-altitude adaptation is not well understood. We performed an epigenome-wide DNA methylation association study based on whole blood from 113 Peruvian Quechua with differential lifetime exposures to high altitude (>2,500) and recruited based on a migrant study design. We identified two significant differentially methylated positions (DMPs) and 62 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) associated with high-altitude developmental and lifelong exposure statuses. DMPs and DMRs were found in genes associated with hypoxia-inducible factor pathway, red blood cell production, blood pressure, and others. DMPs and DMRs associated with fractional exhaled nitric oxide also were identified. We found a significant association between EPAS1 methylation and EPAS1 SNP genotypes, suggesting that local genetic variation influences patterns of methylation. Our findings demonstrate that DNA methylation is associated with early developmental and lifelong high-altitude exposures among Peruvian Quechua as well as altitude-adaptive phenotypes. Together these findings suggest that epigenetic mechanisms might be involved in adaptive developmental plasticity to high altitude. Moreover, we show that local genetic variation is associated with DNA methylation levels, suggesting that methylation associated SNPs could be a potential avenue for research on genetic adaptation to hypoxia in Andeans., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution.)

Chronic mountain sickness (CMS) is a pathological condition resulting from chronic exposure to high-altitude hypoxia. While its prevalence is high in native Andeans (>10%), little is known about the genetic architecture of this disease. Here, we performed the largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) of CMS (166 CMS patients and 146 controls living at 4,380 m in Peru) to detect genetic variants associated with CMS. We highlighted four new candidate loci, including the first CMS-associated variant reaching GWAS statistical significance (rs7304081; P = 4.58 × 10 -9 ). By looking at differentially expressed genes between CMS patients and controls around these four loci, we suggested AEBP2 , CAST , and MCTP2 as candidate CMS causal genes. None of the candidate loci were under strong natural selection, consistent with the observation that CMS affects fitness mainly after the reproductive years. Overall, our results reveal new insights on the genetic architecture of CMS and do not provide evidence that CMS-associated variants are linked to a strong ongoing adaptation to high altitude.

Recent discoveries indicate a genetic basis for high-altitude adaptation among human groups who have resided at high altitude for millennia, including Andeans, Tibetans, and Ethiopians. Yet, genetics alone does not explain the extent of variation in altitude-adaptive phenotypes. Current and past environments may also play a role, and one way to determine the effect of the environment is through the epigenome. To characterize if Andean adaptive responses to high altitude have an epigenetic component, we analyzed DNA methylation of the promoter region of EPAS1 and LINE-1 repetitive element among 572 Quechua individuals from high- (4,388 m) and low-altitude (0 m) in Peru. Participants recruited at high altitude had lower EPAS1 DNA methylation and higher LINE-1 methylation. Altitude of birth was associated with higher LINE-1 methylation, not with EPAS1 methylation. The number of years lived at high altitude was negatively associated with EPAS1 methylation and positively associated with LINE-1 methylation. We found four one-carbon metabolism SNPs (MTHFD1 rs2236225, TYMS rs502396, FOLH1 rs202676, GLDC rs10975681) that cumulatively explained 11.29% of the variation in average LINE-1 methylation. And identified an association between LINE-1 methylation and genome-wide SNP principal component 1 that distinguishes European from Indigenous American ancestry suggesting that European admixture decreases LINE-1 methylation. Our results indicate that both current and lifetime exposure to high-altitude hypoxia have an effect on EPAS1 and LINE-1 methylation among Andean Quechua, suggesting that epigenetic modifications may play a role in high-altitude adaptation.

Human capital requires opportunities to develop and capacity to overcome challenges, together with an enabling environment that fosters critical and disruptive innovation. Exploring such features is necessary to establish the foundation of solid long-term partnerships. In this paper we describe the experience of the CRONICAS Centre of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, based at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Lima, Peru, as a case study for fostering meaningful and sustainable partnerships for international collaborative research. The CRONICAS Centre of Excellence in Chronic Diseases was established in 2009 with the following Mission: "We support the development of young researchers and collaboration with national and international institutions. Our motivation is to improve population's health through high quality research." The Centre's identity is embedded in its core values - generosity, innovation, integrity, and quality- and its trajectory is a result of various interactions between multiple individuals, collaborators, teams, and institutions, which together with the challenges confronted, enables us to make an objective assessment of the partnership we would like to pursue, nurture and support. We do not intend to provide a single example of a successful partnership, but in contrast, to highlight what can be translated into opportunities to be faced by research groups based in low- and middle-income countries, and how these encounters can provide a strong platform for fruitful and sustainable partnerships. In defiant contexts, partnerships require to be nurtured and sustained. Acknowledging that all partnerships are not and should not be the same, we also need to learn from the evolution of such relationships, its key successes, hurdles and failures to contribute to the promotion of a culture of global solidarity where mutual goals, mutual gains, as well as mutual responsibilities are the norm. In so doing, we will all contribute to instil a new culture where expectations, roles and interactions among individuals and their teams are horizontal, the true nature of partnerships.

Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) and chronic mountain sickness (CMS) share physiological traits. Our objective was to explore a possible association between RLS and CMS., Methods: We carried a cross-sectional study with male subjects living between 4100 and 4300 m above sea level. Participants underwent a clinical interview, physical examination, electrocardiographic (EKG) recording, and spirometry. We classified subjects into CMS, Limbo, and healthy high-altitude dwellers (hHAD), according to their Quinghai score and hematocrit levels. We applied the "Paradigm of questions for epidemiological studies of RLS," The International Restless Leg Syndrome Study Group Scale, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between variables., Results: Seventy-eight male subjects were included. Forty subjects were hHAD, 23 were CMS patients, and 15 participants were considered as Limbo. CMS and Limbo subjects had a higher frequency of RLS (p <0.05). Limbo subjects had the highest severity score for RLS. There were no differences in age, body mass index (BMI), or tobacco use between RLS patients and non-sufferers. In the multivariate analysis, CMS was not associated with RLS diagnosis. Oxygen saturation (p = 0.019), poor sleep quality (p <0.01), and Quinghai score of ≥6 (p = 0.026) were independently associated with RLS diagnosis., Conclusions: Our results did not show a direct association between RLS and CMS; however, RLS was associated with reduced oxygen saturation. Hence, RLS could represent an early clinical manifestation of hypoxia, or, in CMS natural history, an early sign of maladaptation to high altitude., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Kiyamu, Melisa, Fabiola León-Velarde, María Rivera-Chira, Gianpietro Elías, and Tom D. Brutsaert. Developmental effects determine submaximal arterial oxygen saturation in Peruvian Quechua. High Alt Med Biol 16, 138-146, 2015.--Andean high altitude natives show higher arterial oxygen saturation (Sao(2)) during exercise in hypoxia, compared to acclimatized sojourners. In order to evaluate the effects of life-long exposure to high altitude on Sao(2), we studied two groups of well-matched, self-identified Peruvian Quechua natives who differed in their developmental exposure to hypoxia before and after a 2-month training period. Male and female volunteers (18-35 years) were recruited in Lima, Peru (150 m). The two groups were: a) Individuals who were born and raised at sea-level (BSL, n=34) and b) Individuals who were born and raised at high altitude (BHA, n=32), but who migrated to sea-level as adults (>16 years old). Exercise testing was conducted using a submaximal exercise protocol in normobaric hypoxia in Lima (BP=750 mmHg, Fio(2)=0.12), in order to measure Sao(2) (%), ventilation (VE L/min) and oxygen consumption (Vo(2), L/min). Repeated-measures ANOVA, controlling for VE/VO(2) (L/min) and sex during the submaximal protocol showed that BHA maintained higher Sao(2) (%) compared to BSL at all workloads before (p=0.005) and after training (p=0.017). As expected, both groups showed a decrease in Sao(2) (%) (p<0.001), as workload increased. Resting Sao(2) levels were not found to be different between groups. The results suggest that developmental exposure to altitude contributes to the maintenance of higher Sao(2) levels during submaximal exercise at hypoxia.

High altitude natives are reported to have outstanding work capacity in spite of the challenge of oxygen transport and delivery in hypoxia. To evaluate the developmental effect of lifelong exposure to hypoxia on aerobic capacity, VO2peak was measured on two groups of Peruvian Quechua subjects (18-35 years), who differed in their developmental exposure to altitude. Male and female volunteers were recruited in Lima, Peru (150 m), and were divided in two groups, based on their developmental exposure to hypoxia, those: a) Born at sea-level individuals (BSL), with no developmental exposure to hypoxia (n = 34) and b) Born at high-altitude individuals (BHA) with full developmental exposure to hypoxia (n = 32), but who migrated to sea-level as adults (>16-years-old). Tests were conducted both in normoxia (BP = 750 mm Hg) and normobaric hypoxia at sea-level (BP = 750 mm Hg, FiO2  = 0.12, equivalent to 4,449 m), after a 2-month training period (in order to control for initial differences in physical fitness) at sea-level. BHA had a significantly higher VO2peak at hypoxia (40.31 ± 1.0 ml/min/kg) as compared to BSL (35.78 ± 0.96 ml/min/kg, P = 0.001), adjusting for sex. The decrease of VO2peak at HA relative to SL (ΔVO2peak ) was not different between groups, controlling for baseline levels (VO2peak at sea-level) and sex (BHA = 0.35 ± 0.04 l/min, BSL = 0.44 ± 0.04 l/min; P = 0.12). Forced vital capacity (controlling for height) and the residuals of VO2peak (controlling for weight) had a significant association in the BHA group only (r = 0.155; P = 0.031). In sum, results indicate that developmental exposure to altitude constitutes an important factor to determine superior exercise performance., (© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The CRONICAS Centre of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, based at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, was created in 2009 with support from the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The vision of CRONICAS is to build a globally recognized center of excellence conducting quality and innovative research and generating high-impact evidence for health. The center's identity is embedded in its core values: generosity, innovation, integrity, and quality. This review has been structured to describe the development of the CRONICAS Centre, with a focus on highlighting the ongoing translational research projects and capacity-building strategies. The CRONICAS Centre of Excellence is not a risk-averse organization: it benefits from past experiences, including past mistakes, and improves upon them and thus challenges traditional research approaches. This ethos and environment are key to fostering innovation in research., (Copyright © 2015 World Heart Federation (Geneva). All rights reserved.)

Objectives: High-altitude hypoxia, or decreased oxygen levels caused by low barometric pressure, challenges the ability of humans to live and reproduce. Despite these challenges, human populations have lived on the Andean Altiplano and the Tibetan Plateau for millennia and exhibit unique circulatory, respiratory, and hematological adaptations to life at high altitude. We and others have identified natural selection candidate genes and gene regions for these adaptations using dense genome scan data. One gene previously known to be important in cellular oxygen sensing, egl nine homolog 1 (EGLN1), shows evidence of positive selection in both Tibetans and Andeans. Interestingly, the pattern of variation for this gene differs between the two populations. Continued research among Tibetan populations has identified statistical associations between hemoglobin concentration and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotype at EGLN1 and a second gene, endothelial PAS domain protein 1 (EPAS1)., Methods: To measure for the effects of EGLN1 and EPAS1 altitude genotypes on hemoglobin concentration among Andean highlanders, we performed a multiple linear regression analysis of 10 candidate SNPs in or near these two genes., Results: Our analysis did not identify significant associations between EPAS1 or EGLN1 SNP genotypes and hemoglobin concentration in Andeans., Conclusions: These results contribute to our understanding of the unique set of adaptations developed in different highland groups to the hypoxia of high altitude. Overall, the results provide key insights into the patterns of genetic adaptation to high altitude in Andean and Tibetan populations., (Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

High altitude natives have enlarged vital capacities and residual volumes (RV). Because pulmonary volumes are an indication of functionally relevant traits, such as diffusion capacity, the understanding of the factors (genetic/developmental) that influence lung volumes provides insight into the adaptive responses of highlanders. In order to test for the effect of growth and development at high altitude on lung volumes, we obtained forced vital capacities (FVC), RV, and total lung capacities (TLC) for a sample of 65 Peruvian females of mostly Quechua origins (18-34 years) who were sub-divided into two well-matched groups: 1) sea-level born and raised females (BSL, n = 34) from Lima, Peru (150 m), and 2) high-altitude born and raised females (BHA, n = 31) from Cerro de Pasco, Peru (4,338 m). To determine Quechua origins, Native American ancestry proportion (NAAP) for each individual was assessed using a panel of 70 ancestry informative markers. NAAP was similar between groups (BSL = 91.71%; BHA = 89.93%; P = 0.240), and the analysis confirmed predominantly Quechua origins. After adjusting for body size and NAAP, BHA females had significantly higher FVC (3.79 ± 0.06 l; P < 0.001), RV (0.98 ± 0.03 l; P < 0.001) and TLC (4.80 ± 0.07 l; P < 0.001) compared to BSL females (FVC = 3.33 ± 0.05 l; RV = 0.69 ± 0.03 l; TLC = 4.02 ± 0.06 l). NAAP was not associated with FVC (P = 0.352) or TLC (P = 0.506). However, NAAP was positively associated with RV (P = 0.004). In summary, results indicate that developmental exposure to high altitude in females constitutes an important factor for all lung volumes, whereas both genetic and developmental factors seem to be important for RV., (Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The effects of hypobaric hypoxia in visitors depend not only on the actual elevation but also on the rate of ascent. Sympathetic activity increases and there are increases in blood pressure and heart rate. Pulmonary vasoconstriction leads to pulmonary hypertension, particularly during exercise. The sympathetic excitation results from hypoxia, partly through chemoreceptor reflexes and partly through altered baroreceptor function. High pulmonary arterial pressures may also cause reflex systemic vasoconstriction. Most permanent high altitude dwellers show excellent adaptation although there are differences between populations in the extent of the ventilatory drive and the erythropoiesis. Some altitude dwellers, particularly Andeans, may develop chronic mountain sickness, the most prominent characteristic of which being excessive polycythaemia. Excessive hypoxia due to peripheral chemoreceptor dysfunction has been suggested as a cause. The hyperviscous blood leads to pulmonary hypertension, symptoms of cerebral hypoperfusion, and eventually right heart failure and death.

This study was conducted to establish reference values for percent oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SaO2, %) and heart rate (HR, bpm) in children living at high altitude (4,100 m) and to relate possible differences in the variables with ethnic origin. Healthy children from a mine-located school (Tintaya, n = 417), a nearby school (Marquiri, n = 474), and a rural Andean community (Nuñoa, n = 373) were investigated. The samples included different ethnic combinations, with the Nuñoa children having a predominant Quechua ancestry. Mean SaO2 for all ages was substantially lower in all high altitude children compared to values considered normal for sea level. Among the three samples, SaO2 was higher (91.3 +/- 2.7) and HR was lower (84.8 +/- 13.6) in Nuñoa than in Tintaya (SaO2, 89.8 +/- 2.5; HR, 91.7 +/- 14.9) and Marquiri (SaO2, 89.6 +/- 3.1; HR, 88.5 +/- 12.9) (P < 0.05). There was no sex difference and only a weak age-dependent trend for SaO2. Values considered abnormal at sea level were observed in all healthy high-altitude children. Higher SaO2 and lower HR in Nuñoa children may suggest a better degree of acclimatization to altitude., (Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

There have been a number of reports describing the hematological indicators of Andean residents living at altitudes above 4,000 m, but several confounding factors have made the published results difficult to interpret. To clear up the effect of hypoxia on hemoglobin concentration (Hb, g/dL), hematocrit (Hct, %) and red blood cell concentration (RBC, cells/microL), this publication describes and analyzes these variables in children, men, and women from three large and homogeneous populations living at 4,355 m (n = 151), 4,660 m (n = 400), and 5,500 m (n = 273) in the Southern Peruvian Andes. Hb, Hct, and RBC increase with age in men (p < 0.001), as well as in women (p < 0.001) at the three altitudes of the study. In children (boys and girls) living at 5,500, Hb increases 11% when compared with children living at 4,355 m, and in adults, Hb increases 9.6% when comparing the same altitudes. The maximum percentage increase in Hb with age was 5.6% at 5,500 m, in men and 3.2% at 4,355 m, in women. The average percentage of difference for the Hb concentration between adult men and women is 6.6% at 4,355 m, 9.8% at 4,660 m, and 11.6% at 5,500 m. The differences in Hb concentration between men and women can only be seen after puberty. Finally, Hb is higher in older than younger women, which confirms the role of menopause in the development of erythremia. The result of this analysis reinforces the notion that Hb and Hct seem to be stable and useful parameters for acclimatization only at moderate altitudes; with aging or with increasing altitude, they may become excessive and lose their efficiency to protect the venous oxygen pressure.

We herein describe the regulation of cardiac receptors in a typical high-altitude native animal. Heart rate response to isoproterenol (HRIso) (beats.min-1.mg Iso.kg-1) and atropine, the density of beta-adrenergic (beta AR) and muscarinic (M2) receptors, and the ventricular content of norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) were studied in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). Animals native to Lima, Peru (150 m) were studied at sea level (SL) and after 5 wk at 4,300-m altitude (SL-HA). Animals native to Rancas [Pasco, Peru (4,300 m)] were studied at high altitude (HA) and after 5 wk at SL (HA-SL). HA animals had a lower HRIso, maximum number of beta AR binding sites (Bmax), beta AR dissociation constant (Kd), NE, and DA (P < 0.05) and a higher M2 Bmax (P < 0.001) when compared with the SL group. HA-SL showed an increase of the HRIso, beta Ar Kd, and NE (P < 0.05) and a decrease of the M2 Bmax and Kd (P < 0.0001) when compared with the HA group. The present study demonstrates the differential regulation and reversibility of the autonomic control in the guinea pig heart.