Qi-Long-Tian formula extract alleviates symptoms of acute high-altitude diseases via suppressing the inflammation responses in rat

Xing Fu,Kexing Zeng,Chunyan Yang,Siyuan Chen,Yi Fu,Bing Chen

doi:10.1186/s12931-021-01645-8

Abstract

BackgroundChinese Yunnan Province, located in the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, is a famous tourist paradise where acute high-altitude illness common occurs among lowland people visitors due to non-acclimatization to the acute hypobaric hypoxia (AHH) conditions. Traditional Chinese medicine, such as Qi-Long-Tian (QLT) formula, has shown effectiveness and safety in the treatment of acute high-altitude diseases. The aim of this study was to clarify the therapeutic mechanisms of this traditional formula using a rat model in a simulated plateau environment.MethodsFollowing testing, lung tissue samples were evaluated by hematoxylin–eosin staining and for biochemical characteristics. mRNA-Seq was used to compare differentially expressed genes in control rats, and in rats exposed to AHH and AHH with QLT treatment.ResultsInflammation-related effectors induced following QLT treatment for AHH included MMP9 and TIMP1, and involved several phosphorylation signaling pathways implicated in AHH pathogenesis such as PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling.ConclusionThis study provides insights into the major signaling pathways induced by AHH and in the protective mechanisms involved in QLT formula activity.

Highlights

Chinese Yunnan Province, located in the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, is a famous tourist paradise where acute high-altitude illness common occurs among lowland people visitors due to non-acclimatization to the acute hypobaric hypoxia (AHH) conditions
The results showed that several inflammationrelated mediators were significantly induced under AHH conditions, which responded to QLT treatment
After 48 h the alveolar septa of the rats in AHH were broken; the lung tissue structure was destroyed at 72 h, in addition changes in the alveolar septa, and the capillaries were dilated and a presented a large number of infiltrated inflammatory cells

Summary

Introduction

Chinese Yunnan Province, located in the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, is a famous tourist paradise where acute high-altitude illness common occurs among lowland people visitors due to non-acclimatization to the acute hypobaric hypoxia (AHH) conditions. Traditional Chinese medicine, such as Qi-Long-Tian (QLT) formula, has shown effectiveness and safety in the treatment of acute high-altitude diseases. The atmospheric pressure decreases exponentially, resulting in a progressive reduction in the ambient partial pressure of oxygen (PO2), termed hypobaric hypoxia. When the altitude increases by 100 m, the atmospheric pressure usually drops by 5 mmHg, and the. PO2 drops by 1 mmHg. Millions of individuals, including the military, mountain rescuers, and mountaineers, currently work or live at high altitudes, and are exposed to the risk of mountain sickness. Most individuals experience a state of incapacitation at 6000 m and loss of consciousness and hallucinations occur at 7000 m [2]

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