Zhang Cheng-
1
, Chen Ting-Fang
1
, Yan Gao
1
, Bing Huo
1
, Ge Ri-Li
2
. Department of
Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Taiping Road
2
7, Beijing,
1
008
51
, )Research
Center for High Altitude Medicine, Qinghai Medical College, Xining, Qinghai, P. R. C
2
.
To live in the high altitude environment is difficult not only for human beings, but also for
animals. However, for a long time, the molecular mechanism of animal adaptation to high altitude
was not fully understood. Although Ochotona curzoniae (pika), Bos grunniens mutus and
Pantholops hodgsoni are several typical animals living in high altitude areas of 3 km or even 5
km above sea level, we seldom know how they are evolutionarily adapted to high altitude areas.
To address this question, westudied several important oxygen-binding and oxygen-transferring
proteins in different animals living at high altitude. Four different kinds of globin, including
hemoglobin, myoglobin, neuroglobin and cytoglobin have now been reported in human beings
and in several other animals. We chose the pika as an animal model to study the expression of
neuroglobin to reveal how the brain could be adaptive to high altitude environment. Moreover,
the novel cDNA sequences for myoglobin, neuroglobin and cytoglobin were cloned in order to
find the adaptation mechanism for their evolution. Most important, the promoter regions for these
genes were further identified, allowing us to compare the transcription efficiency with other
animals living at low altitude. We anticipate that these data will be useful from an evolutionary
viewpoint in understanding how the animals living at high altitudes like the pika could adapt to an
environment with lower oxygen pressure.
24.
INCREASED VASCULAR ENDOTHELIUM GROWTH FACTORIN (VEGF) in PATIENTS
WITH HIGH ALTITUDE ERYTHROCYTOSIS. Jiang Chen-Jian
1
, Li Su-Zhi
2
, Zheng Bi-Hai
2
.
The Center of High Altitude Medicine PLA, the Military General Hospital of Tibet, Lhasa;
1
, The
Center of High Altitude Medicine PLA, the Military General Hospital of Tibet, Lhasa
2
.
Objective: VEGF is a mitogenic factor of vascular endothelium cells. It is also named
vascular permeability factor (VPF) or vasculotropin (vas), which means that it can enhance
permeability of the microvasculture. This study explored varied patterns of VEGF in patients with
high altitude erythrocytosis (HAEC) in Naqu region (altitude 4500 m), Tibet. Methods: 3 groups
enrolled in the study: 12 normal Tibetans in the control group, 13 Tibetans with HAEC,, and 16
Han with HAEC. Venous blood was collected and anticogulanted by 10% EDTA·Na2·Aprotinin.
Plasma was harvested and stored in a-70°C freezer until use. ELISA was used to determine
VEGF concentration. Results: The concentration of VEGF in the groups was: 58.99±4.52pg·ml-1
for the control group, 64.63±5.83pg·ml-1 for the Tibeten HAEC group and 74.67±6.3pg·ml-1 for
Han's HAEC group. There is significant difference between HAEC groups and the control group
(p<0.001). Conclusion: VEGF is increased significantly in HAEC, which may play a role in
vascular problems in patients with HAEC.
25.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HIGH ALTITUDE DISEASE AND BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE
SUBSTANCES. Zhuoma Ciren
1
, Qin Wei-Jun
1
, Chen Yong
1
. Tibet People's Hospital, Tibet
Institute of High Altitude Sickness & Cardiovascular Disease, Lhasa
1
.
Objective: To observe the changes of biologically active substances including plasma renin
activity (PRA), angiotensin I (ATI), angiotensin (AT), atrial natriuretic factor (ANP), aldosterone
(ALD), SOD, PGI and serum insulin levels in patients with high altitude disease. Methods:
Plasma levels of PRA, ATI, AT, ANP, ALD, SOD, PGI, and insulin were measured by
radioimmunoassay in 45 patients with High Altitude Polycythemia (HAPC), 20 High Altitude
Chronic Cardiomyopathy (HACC), 41 Acute High Altitude Disease(AHAD); 129 High Altitude
Pulmonary Edema(HAPE), 17 High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), 9 High Altitude Coma.
There were three control groups. Group I was 36 healthy subjects who had come from Chengdu
and just arrived in Lhasa without any symptoms of high altitude sickness, group II was 36 healthy
subjects who lived in Lhasa city for only one year, and group III was 134 healthy people who
lived in Lhasa for more than one year. Results: The plasma levels of ATI, AT, and insulin
increased significantly (P<0.05) in patients with High Altitude Pulmonary Edema, and were
