Yonago Acta medica 2003;46:29–34
Changes in Cytokines at Extreme Surroundings in Antarctica
Shinji Otani and Hiromitsu Kusagaya*
Division of Organ Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago 683-8504 and *National Institute of Polar Research, Tokyo 173-8515 Japan
We evaluated the impact of the extreme environmental conditions at high altitudes in Antarctica on health from the viewpoint of cytokines. The subjects were 7 men who joined an inland research party participating in the 40th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition. They underwent serial hematological examinations during the expedition for over 100 days at high altitudes (the highest point was 3810 m). The serum concentration of erythropoietin (EPO) increased promptly, indicating its usefulness for altitude adaptation. The serum concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6) increased at high altitudes, and showed 2 peaks. Changes in IL-6 levels did not correlate with arterial oxygen tension, serum C-reactive protein or EPO levels. Some psychological stress and various factors may be related to IL-6 levels. Since the subject who suffered bone fractures had a very high concentration of IL-6 and his symptoms of mountain sickness were severer than the others, elevation of IL-6 may be related with mountain sickness. All subjects remained in relatively good health for 3 months. It is thought that the human body can protect itself against extreme surroundings in Antarctica.
Key words: Antarctica; cytokine; high altitude; interleukin-6; mountain sickness
