0000000000188481
AUTHOR
Annalisa Cogo
Plasma leptin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in normal subjects at high altitude (5050 m)
Context: High altitude (HA) is a model of severe hypoxia exposure in humans. We hypothesized that nocturnal hypoxemia or acute maximal exercise at HA might affect plasma leptin and VEGF levels. Objectives: Plasma leptin, VEGF and other metabolic variables were studied after nocturnal pulse oximetry and after maximal exercise in healthy lowlanders on the 3rd-4th day of stay in Lobuche (5050 m, HA) and after return to sea level (SL). Results: Leptin was similar at SL or HA in both pre- and post-exercise conditions. Pre-exercise VEGF at HA was lower, and cortisol was higher, than at SL, suggesting that nocturnal intermittent hypoxia associated with periodic breathing at HA might affect these v…
Exercise intolerance at high altitude (5050 m): critical power and W'.
Abstract The relationship between work rate (WR) and its tolerable duration (tLIM) has not been investigated at high altitude (HA). At HA (5050 m) and at sea level (SL), six subjects therefore performed symptom-limited cycle-ergometry: an incremental test (IET) and three constant-WR tests (% of IET WRmax, HA and SL respectively: WR1 70 ± 8%, 74 ± 7%; WR2 86 ± 14%, 88 ± 10%; WR3 105 ± 13%, 104 ± 9%). The power asymptote (CP) and curvature constant (W′) of the hyperbolic WR–tLIM relationship were reduced at HA compared to SL (CP: 81 ± 21 vs. 123 ± 38 W; W′: 7.2 ± 2.9 vs. 13.1 ± 4.3 kJ). HA breathing reserve (estimated maximum voluntary ventilation minus end-exercise ventilation) was also comp…
Respiratory Effects of Exposure to Traffic-Related Air Pollutants During Exercise
Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is increasing worldwide. Habitual physical activity is known to prevent cardiorespiratory diseases and mortality, but whether exposure to TRAP during exercise affects respiratory health is still uncertain. Exercise causes inflammatory changes in the airways, and its interaction with the effects of TRAP or ozone might be detrimental, for both athletes exercising outdoor and urban active commuters. In this Mini-Review, we summarize the literature on the effects of exposure to TRAP and/or ozone during exercise on lung function, respiratory symptoms, performance, and biomarkers. Ozone negatively affected pulmonary function after exercise, especially after co…