PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Al-Hashem, Fahaid H.
AU  - Assiri, Abdullah S.
AU  - Shatoor, Abdullah S.
AU  - Elrefaey, Hesham M.
AU  - Alessa, Riyad M.
AU  - Alkhateeb, Mahmoud A.
TI  - Increased systemic low-grade inflammation in high altitude native rats mediated by adrenergic receptors
DP  - 2014 Jun 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 538--546
VI  - 35
IP  - 6
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/35/6/538.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/35/6/538.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2014 Jun 01; 35
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To compare the serum levels of inflammatory mediators in high altitude (HA) native rats, and to search for the possible underlying mechanism(s).METHODS: The study was carried out between January and April 2013. Fifty male rats from the same genetic pool were bred at either a HA or low altitude (LA) area. The study was carried out in 2 stages. In the first stage, serum levels of inflammatory markers, adhesive molecules, lipid profiles, catecholamines, magnesium (Mg+2), and lipid peroxidation were compared between theses 2 groups. In the second stages, inflammatory response and lipid peroxidation were analyzed in HA native rats after treatment with either alpha (Prazosin) or beta (propranolol) adrenergic blockage.RESULTS: The HA native rats showed significant increases in the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, lipid profiles, as well as a significant increase in the urinary norepinephrine with a concomitant decrease in the serum levels of Mg+2 and increased lipid peroxidation. Blockage of the beta and alpha adrenergic receptors of the HA rats caused partial or complete decreases in both inflammatory and oxidative stress mediators.CONCLUSION: Living under HA conditions results in an increased systemic inflammatory reaction; an effect that is mediated through the sympathetic nervous system mainly via alpha-adrenergic receptors and could be attributed to low Mg+2 levels.