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Circulating levels of cell-derived microparticles are reduced by mild hypobaric hypoxia: data from a randomised controlled trial

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Abstract

Purpose

Hypoxia is known to induce the release of microparticles in vitro. However, few publications have addressed the role of hypoxia in vivo on circulating levels of microparticles. This randomised, controlled, crossover trial aimed to determine the effect of mild hypoxia on in vivo levels of circulating microparticles in healthy individuals.

Methods

Blood was obtained from 51 healthy male volunteers (mean age of 26.9 years) at baseline altitude (490 m) and after 24 and 48 h at moderate altitude (2,590 m). The order of altitude exposure was randomised. Flow cytometry was used to assess platelet-poor plasma for levels of circulating microparticles derived from platelets, endothelial cells, leucocytes, granulocytes, monocytes, red blood cells and procoagulant microparticles.

Results

Mean (standard deviation) oxygen saturation was significantly lower on the first and second day after arrival at 2,590 m, 91.0 (2.0) and 92.0 (2.0) %, respectively, compared to 490 m, 96 (1.0) %, p < 0.001 for both comparisons. A significant decrease in the levels of procoagulant microparticles (annexin V+ −221/μl 95 % CI −370.8/−119.0, lactadherin+ −202/μl 95 % CI −372.2/−93.1), platelet-derived microparticles (−114/μl 95 % CI −189.9/−51.0) and red blood cell-derived microparticles (−81.4 μl 95 % CI −109.9/−57.7) after 48 h at moderate altitude was found. Microparticles derived from endothelial cells, granulocytes, monocytes and leucocytes were not significantly altered by exposure to moderate altitude.

Conclusions

In healthy male individuals, mild hypobaric hypoxia, induced by a short-term stay at moderate altitude, is associated with lower levels of procoagulant microparticles, platelet-derived microparticles and red blood cell-derived microparticles, suggesting a reduction in thrombotic potential.

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Abbreviations

APC:

Allophycocyanin

EMP:

Endothelial cell-derived microparticle

IQR:

Interquartile range

MP:

Microparticle

PMP:

Platelet-derived microparticle

CRP:

C-reactive protein

FITC:

Fluoresceinisothiocyanate

LMP:

Leucocyte-derived microparticle

PE:

Phycoerythrin

RBC:

Red blood cell

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the individuals who participated in this study. This report is an independent research arising from a Healthcare Scientist Research Fellowship supported by the National Institute for Health Research and the Chief Scientific Officer and a Research Capacity Fund supported by the National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre Oxford. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the National Institute of Health Research or the Department of Health. This work was also supported by a research grant from the University of Zurich (University Research Priority Program on Integrative Human Physiology) and the Swiss Accident Insurance Fund (SUVA), Switzerland.

Conflict of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Immunology, Churchill Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, OX3 7LJ, UK

    Lisa Ayers, Berne Ferry & Ross Sadler

  2. Pulmonary Division, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Anne-Christin Stoewhas, Tsogyal D. Latshang, Christian M. Lo Cascio, Konrad E. Bloch & Malcolm Kohler

  3. Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Katrin Stadelmann & Peter Achermann

  4. Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Noemi Tesler & Reto Huber

  5. Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Reto Huber, Peter Achermann, Konrad E. Bloch & Malcolm Kohler

Authors
  1. Lisa Ayers
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  2. Anne-Christin Stoewhas
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  3. Berne Ferry
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  4. Tsogyal D. Latshang
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  7. Katrin Stadelmann
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  8. Noemi Tesler
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  9. Reto Huber
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  10. Peter Achermann
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  12. Malcolm Kohler
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lisa Ayers.

Additional information

Communicated by Fabio Fischetti.

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Ayers, L., Stoewhas, AC., Ferry, B. et al. Circulating levels of cell-derived microparticles are reduced by mild hypobaric hypoxia: data from a randomised controlled trial. Eur J Appl Physiol 114, 1067–1073 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-2837-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-2837-6

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