Oxidative damage is present in plasma and circulating neutrophils 4 weeks after a high mountain expedition

Abstract

It is well known that exposure to extreme envi- ronments, such as in high-mountain expeditions, is associ- ated with increased production of reactive oxygen species

and related oxidative damage. However, there is little infor- mation concerning antioxidant recovery after this type of

expedition. Thus, the aim of this study is to analyze the

antioxidant recovery status at sea level of Wve expert alpi- nists 4 weeks after climbing Cho-Oyu (8,201 m). Body

composition, cardiorespiratory capacity, and circulating parameters were almost similar to the values obtained at the beginning of the study. However, the alpinists presented high erythrocyte number, related hemogram values, and

ferritin. Sodium, alkaline phosphatase, and -glutamyl- transferase plasma levels were lower. Concerning oxidative

stress, plasma uric acid levels were signiWcantly increased,

as well as malondialdehyde and protein carbonyls. Neutro- phils displayed signiWcantly higher levels of malondialde- hyde and lower catalase activity. Therefore, these data indicate that the oxidative stress during a high mountain expedition is the most probable cause to explain an incom- plete recovery in plasma and neutrophil antioxidant status.