Comparative response of EPO and Soluble transferrin receptor at high altitude

• Published in: Medicine and science in sports and exercise 2004-09, Vol.36 (9), p.1493-1498
• Main Authors: ROBACH, Paul, FULLA, Yvonne, WESTERTERP, Klaas R, RICHALET, Jean-Paul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Altitude; Biological and medical sciences; Erythrocyte Volume; Erythropoietin - blood; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Receptors, Transferrin - blood; Space life sciences; Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports
• ISSN: 0195-9131; 1530-0315
• DOI: 10.1249/01.MSS.0000139889.56481.E0

Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) classically raises with increased erythropoiesis, along with the rise in erythropoietin (EPO). However, the specific effect of altitude-induced erythropoiesis on sTfR remains poorly documented. This study investigated the response of sTfR during high-altitude exposure in human and verified that sTfR was related to EPO response in this case. EPO, sTfR, red cell volume (RCV), ferritin, and iron intake were measured during: 1) experiment A (N = 8, 31 d at 5000-8848 m), at sea level (SL), and at the simulated altitude of 5000, 6000, 7000, and 8000 m; and 2) during experiment B (N = 10, 7 d at 4350 m), at SL, after 3, 5, and 7 d at 4350 m and 1-2 d after return to SL (RSL). In experiment A, progressive decompression from SL to 8000 m induced a large parallel rise in EPO (33.8-fold) and sTfR (5.9-fold), whereas ferritin was dramatically decreased and iron intake reduced. RCV was increased after 31 d of decompression. In experiment B, EPO peaked at day 3 at 4350 m, then declined later at altitude and returned to baseline values at RSL, whereas sTfR progressively rose at altitude (+86%) and remained elevated during RSL (+64%). Ferritin progressively declined at 4350 m, whereas iron intake was unchanged. RCV was not enhanced after exposure to 4350 m. In summary, sTfR mirrors EPO response for a given level of altitude hypoxia but differs from EPO response during transitory phases, such as early acclimatization or reoxygenation. Analysis of sTfR may therefore account for altitude-related erythropoiesis, at a time when EPO is blunted.