Loading…
Sustained apnea induces endothelial activation
Background Apnea diving has gained worldwide popularity, even though the pathophysiological consequences of this challenging sport on the human body are poorly investigated and understood. This study aims to assess the influence of sustained apnea in healthy volunteers on circulating microparticles...
Saved in:
Published in: | Clinical cardiology (Mahwah, N.J.) N.J.), 2017-09, Vol.40 (9), p.704-709 |
---|---|
Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
Summary: | Background
Apnea diving has gained worldwide popularity, even though the pathophysiological consequences of this challenging sport on the human body are poorly investigated and understood. This study aims to assess the influence of sustained apnea in healthy volunteers on circulating microparticles (MPs) and microRNAs (miRs), which are established biomarkers reflecting vascular function.
Hypothesis
Short intermittent hypoxia due to voluntary breath‐holding affects circulating levels of endothelial cell‐derived MPs (EMPs) and endothelial cell‐derived miRs.
Methods
Under dry laboratory conditions, 10 trained apneic divers performed maximal breath‐hold. Venous blood samples were taken, once before and at 4 defined points in time after apnea. Samples were analyzed for circulating EMPs and endothelial miRs.
Results
Average apnea time was 329 seconds (±103), and SpO2
at the end of apnea was 79% (±12). Apnea was associated with a time‐dependent increase of circulating endothelial cell‐derived EMPs and endothelial miRs. Levels of circulating EMPs in the bloodstream reached a peak 4 hours after the apnea period and returned to baseline levels after 24 hours. Circulating miR‐126 levels were elevated at all time points after a single voluntary maximal apnea, whereas miR‐26 levels were elevated significantly only after 30 minutes and 4 hours. Also miR‐21 and miR‐92 levels increased, but did not reach the level of significance.
Conclusions
Even a single maximal breath‐hold induces acute endothelial activation and should be performed with great caution by subjects with preexisting vascular diseases. Voluntary apnea might be used as a model to simulate changes in endothelial function caused by hypoxia in humans. |
---|---|
ISSN: | 0160-9289 1932-8737 |
DOI: | 10.1002/clc.22720 |