Carbohydrate Metabolism in People Living in Chronic Hypoxia

Abstract

Carbohydrate metabolism was studied in a group of twenty-three normal men, age forty to seventy years, born and living at an altitude of 14,900 feet with a barometric pressure of 445.8 mm. Hg; an alveolar p02 of 46 mm. Hg, an arterial p02 of 45.1 mm. Hg, and an arterial blood oxygen saturation of 80.1 per cent. For comparison, a group of thirty-two normal men born and living at sea level was studied. During the intravenous glucose tolerance test a low level of fasting blood glucose in the chronic hypoxia group was confirmed, but only minor differences were found in the net changes of glucose. A slightly greater “K” value was found in the chronic hypoxia group. No difference was found during the intravenous tolbutamide test when the net changes from fasting blood glucose were considered. During the intravenous glucagon test there was a statistically significant lesser hyperglycemic response in the hypoxia group. From these studies it would appear that glucose homeostasis is maintained in the chronic hypoxia group with a lower fasting blood glucose.