AMAS (Austrian Moderate Altitude Study)-2000: Effects of Hiking Holidays at Moderate Altitude on Immune System Markers in Persons with Metabolic Syndrome.

Abstract

Recent studies have shown a strong association between indices of inflammation and metabolic Syndrome. Proinflammatory mediators like tumor necrosis factor-α may act as a trigger for insulin insensitivity. Therefore, patients with metabolic Syndrome might be at higher risk of insulin resistance when confronted with additional Stimuli of the immune system. These Stimuli are not restricted to the presence of pathogens but include environmental factors like physical exercise and hypoxemia as well. With respect to these interdependencies, one may assume higher risk for patients with metabolic Syndrome who perform physical exercise in alpine regions. We investigated the effects of a 3-weeks holiday with moderate sporting activities at moderate altitude (1700 m) on the conceiitrations of neopterin, tumor necrosis factor-α, serum soluble 75kD type TNF receptor (sTNF-R75), and interleukin-6 in vacationers with metabolic Syndrome. Only serum neopterin and sTNF-R75 concentrations transiently increased during the stay at moderate altitude compared to pre-altitude levels (P<0.05). Interestingly, after return to 500 m sea-level neopterin concentrations dropped beyond baseline concentrations (p<0.05). However, the variations in neopterin concentrations might not be of clinical relevance since they did not exceed the threshold indicating significant activation of the cellular immune system. We conclude that a 3-week sojourn at moderate altitude including individually adapted physical exercise does not represent accumulated risk factors in subjects with metabolic Syndrome.

Keywords

• metabolic syndrome
• exercise
• immune system
• neopterin
• moderate altitude