Preliminary study on impact of high altitude on gastric mucosa and its mechanisms

Abstract

Objective To investigate the impact of high altitude on human gastric mucosa and its underlying mechanisms. Methods Twenty-five native Tibetans with chronic mountain sickness CMS residing at high altitude (4500 m) were examined for ultrastrueture and pathological changes of gastric mucosa. The other 25 native Tibetans residing at low altitude (＜2000 m) were served as control.The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α in human gastric mucosa was detected with immunohistochemistry. Results The color of gastric mucosa presented dark in patients with CMS.The histopathological examination showed significant differecnce in incidence of cnronc body gastritis and atrophic gastritis between CMS group and control group (P＜0. 05). The transmission electronic microscopy revealed that the epithlieal cells of gastric mucosa were impared in CMS group compared to control group. The expression of HIF-1α protein was increased in CMS group in comparison of control group (102.94± 34.04 vs 14.04 ± 6.53, P＜0.05). Conclusions The high altitude may involve in damage of gastric mucosa and the up-regulation of HIF-1α protein may involve in its mechanism. Key words: Altitude; Hypoxia-inducible factor 1; Gastric mucosa; Tibet