SENP1, but not fetal hemoglobin, differentiates Andean highlanders with chronic mountain sickness from healthy individuals Among Andean highlanders

Chronic mountain sickness (CMS) results from chronic hypoxia. It is unclear why certain highlanders develop CMS. We hypothesized that modest increases in fetal hemoglobin (HbF) are associated with lower CMS severity. In this cross-sectional study, we found that HbF levels were normal (median = 0.4%) in all 153 adult Andean natives in Cerro de Pasco, Peru. Compared with healthy adults, the borderline elevated hemoglobin group frequently had symptoms (headaches, tinnitus, cyanosis, dilatation of veins) of CMS.

Source: Experimental Hematology - March 4, 2016 Category: Hematology Authors: Matthew M. Hsieh, David Callacondo, Jose Rojas-Camayo, Jose Quesada-Olarte, Xunde Wang, Naoya Uchida, Irina Maric, Alan T. Remaley, Fabiola Leon-Velarde, Francisco C. Villafuerte, John F. Tisdale Source Type: research