Profile of inflammatory biomarkers in extreme conditions: Changes of serum amyloid A in a 7-week summer camp in Antarctica (<i>Short Communication</i>)

Isolated, confined, and extreme (ICE) conditions faced in Antarctica can influence immune system and inflammatory responses in humans. We evaluated the inflammatory biomarkers serum amyloid A (SAA), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and fatty acid-binding protein 2 (FABP2). Seven expeditioners took part in a 7-week Antarctic summer camp (Nelson Island) and were evaluated at Pre-Camp (i.e., at the beginning of the ship travel), Camp-Initial (i.e., 4th and 5th day in camp), Camp-Final (i.e., 45th – 46th day), and at the Post-Camp (on the ship on the return journey). Camping in Antarctica induced a bi-phasic change in SAA, with an increase found at Camp-Initial followed by a return to baseline levels. Such finding indicates a transient acute inflammation that does not imply a chronic inflammation condition in the long term.