Study of Cobalt's Role in Excessive Erythrocytosis Among High Altitude Dwellers in Cerro de Pasco, Peru
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2013-09-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Chronic mountain sickness is characterized by excessive red blood cell production which
causes sludging of the vascular system. This high viscosity blood causes heart failure,
cognitive dysfunction, and strokes. The investigators hypothesize that cobalt which has been
previously been shown to be an environmental pollutant worsens the overproduction of red
blood cells. The investigators plan to conduct a 6 week trial in which acetazolamide (already
shown to improve chronic mountain sickness) and N-acetylcysteine (a drug that removes cobalt
from the blood) are evaluated in their potential to improve chronic mountain sickness.
Phase:
Phase 1/Phase 2
Details
Lead Sponsor:
University of Colorado, Denver
Collaborators:
Jackson, Brian, M.S. Thomas H Maren Foundation Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia