Abnormal energy regulation in early life: childhood gene expression may predict subsequent chronic mountain sickness.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Life at altitude depends on adaptation to ambient hypoxia. In the Andes, susceptibility to chronic mountain sickness (CMS), a clinical condition that occurs to native highlanders or to sea level natives with prolonged residence at high altitude, remains poorly understood. We hypothesized that hypoxia-associated gene expression in children of men with CMS might identify markers that predict the development of CMS in adults. We assessed distinct patterns of gene expression of hypoxia-responsive genes in children of highland Andean men, with and without CMS.

Methods

We compared molecular signatures in children of highland (HA) men with CMS (n = 10), without CMS (n = 10) and in sea level (SL) children (n = 20). Haemoglobin, haematocrit, and oxygen saturation were meas

SUBMITTER: Huicho L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2582028 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature