High altitude travel can lead to inflammation in the body and activation of innate immune cells. The investigators' prior research demonstrates that 1 to 3 days at 3800 m elevation leads to increased expression of genes in blood cells that code for proteins that signal cell damage (damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs)), cell receptors involved in innate immune responses, as well as increases in monocyte and neutrophil cells which promote inflammation. This study will investigate the potential mechanisms underlying these effects using the drug Acetazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor which is known to reduce symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness.
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Distributions of circulating immune cell subsets.
Timeframe: From enrollment to 30 days following return from high altitude (approximately 1.5 months total).
Functional characteristics of peripheral immune cells.
Timeframe: From enrollment to 2 years after completion of sample collection.