At high altitude conditions, the low-pressure atmospheric oxygen reduces the generation of energy, thus inducing a decrease in oxygen availability. As a result, endurance flights evoke imbalance in redox signaling, posing a safety risk for the pilots involved. The aim of the present study was to assess changes in the redox status of military pilots during flight simulation conditions according to their flight hours (experts vs. novice). A total of seven expert pilots and an equal number of novice pilots (trainees) were recruited from the Center for Airforce Medicine of the Greek Military Airforce. Glutathione (GSH) levels, catalase activity (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid peroxidation through the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and protein oxidative damage through the assay of protein carbonyls (PCs) levels were assessed at two time points, once prior to and once immediately post a scheduled flight simulation. In the experienced pilots' arms, GSH was significantly increased post-flight simulation, with TAC being simultaneously reduced. On the other hand, in the trainees' arms, CAT and TAC were both increased post-flight. No differences were noted with regard to the TBARS and PCs post-simulation. When the two groups were compared, TAC and PCs were significantly lower in the trainees compared to the experienced pilots. The present study provides useful insight into the physiological redox status adaptations to hypobaric hypoxic flight conditions among pilots. In a further detail, an increase in GSH response post-flight simulation is being evoked in more experienced pilots, indicating an adaptation to the extreme flight conditions, as they battle oxidative stress.
Keywords: aerospace medicine; airforce; aviation; hypoxia; hypoxia-inducible factor; oxidative stress.