Objective: High-altitude exposure is often associated with several clinical conditions such as acute mountain sickness, inflammatory and digestive system disorders. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of high-altitude on serum levels of some acute phase proteins in the mountaineers with a home residence of height 0 to 800 m.

Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in 33 healthy mountaineers (age, 26±8 years; body weight, 70±13 kg; values are means±SD.), who were camping at 2600 m at Palandoken mountain in Erzurum. Fasting blood samples were collected from an antecubital vein on 1st and 7th days of camping onset. Serum C-reactive protein, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, prealbumin, α1-antitrypsine and lipoprotein (a) levels were measured by the nephelometric method.

Results: α1-antitrypsine and ceruloplasmin levels were significantly higher (p<0.001, for both), and lipoprotein (a) and prealbumin levels were lower (p<0.001, for both) in serum samples at 7th day when compared to those of 1st day values. C-reactive protein levels were higher in serum at 7th day than onset values, but the increase was not significant (p>0.05). Transferrin levels have not shown a statistically significant difference between groups.

Conclusion: Our results show that high-altitude exposure is altering serum levels of some acute phase proteins in mountaineers. ©2008, Firat University, Medical Faculty.