Trends in Immunotherapy

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Altitude-Induced Immunological Changes in Experimental Wound Healing

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https://doi.org/10.54963/ti.v10i1.1423
Kanat, M., Esenbai, A., Yusup, U., Batyrkhan, N., Taalaibekova, M., & Vityala, Y. (2026). Altitude-Induced Immunological Changes in Experimental Wound Healing. Trends in Immunotherapy, 10(1), 58–70. https://doi.org/10.54963/ti.v10i1.1423
Volume 10, Issue 1 (2026)
Copyright (c) 2026 Mamakeev Kanat, Abdyshev Esenbai, Umetaliev Yusup, Niyazov Batyrkhan, Meerim Taalaibekova, Yethindra Vityala
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Authors

  • Mamakeev Kanat

    Department of Scientific, National Surgical Center named after M.M. Mamakeev of the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek 720000, Kyrgyzstan
  • Abdyshev Esenbai

    Department of Septic Gynecology, National Surgical Center named after M.M. Mamakeev of the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek 720000, Kyrgyzstan
  • Umetaliev Yusup

    Department of Hospital and Operative Surgery, I.K. Akhunbaev Kyrgyz State Medical Academy, Bishkek 720020, Kyrgyzstan
  • Niyazov Batyrkhan

    Department of General Surgery, Kyrgyz State Medical Institute of Retraining/Advanced Training named after S.B. Daniyarov, Bishkek 720063, Kyrgyzstan
  • Meerim Taalaibekova

    Department of Biochemistry with Course of General and Bioorganic Chemistry named after Djumaliev A.D., I.K. Akhunbaev Kyrgyz State Medical Academy, Bishkek 720020, Kyrgyzstan
  • Yethindra Vityala

    Department of Pathology, International Higher School of Medicine, Bishkek 720054, Kyrgyzstan

Received: 21 July 2025; Revised: 8 September 2025; Accepted: 16 September 2025; Published: 12 January 2026

Wound healing is a critical global clinical issue, particularly in surgical and emergency care settings, where infections lead to significant morbidity, extended hospitalization, and increased healthcare costs. This study investigated the impact of altitude deadaptation on immune responses during wound healing in rabbits. Animals with aseptic and purulent wounds were divided into three groups: control (Bishkek), short-term (3-day), and long-term (30-day) high-altitude exposure, followed by descent to Bishkek. Leukocyte profiles and plasma levels of pro-inflammatory interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10) were analyzed. Short-term high-altitude exposure followed by rapid descent induced a maladaptive immune response characterized by elevated IL-1β levels, peaking at 10.1 ± 0.3 pg/ml on day 1 in aseptic wounds and 31.1 ± 2.5 pg/ml on day 3 in purulent wounds, indicating prolonged inflammation. In contrast, long-term exposure resulted in immune exhaustion, with diminished IL-1β and IL-10 responses. IL-10 levels were disrupted in the short-term exposure group, showing an initial increase followed by a decrease, suggesting inadequate anti-inflammatory effects. Leukocyte counts paralleled cytokine patterns, with initial leukopenia followed by delayed leukocytosis in the short-term exposure group. These findings demonstrate that altitude deadaptation affects immune regulation, inflammation extension, and hinders wound healing.

Keywords:

Wound Healing Hypoxia High Altitude Inflammation Cytokines Immune Response

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