The Effect of Climbing Mount Everest on Spleen Contraction and Increase in Hemoglobin Concentration During Breath Holding and Exercise

Abstract Purpose Hypoxia and exercise are known to separately trigger spleen contraction, leading to release of stored erythrocytes. We studied spleen volume and hemoglobin concentration (Hb) during rest and exercise at three altitudes. Methods Eleven healthy lowlanders did a 5-min modified Harvard step test at 1370, 3700 and 4200 m altitude. Spleen volume was measured via ultrasonic imaging and capillary Hb with Hemocue during rest and after the step test, and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), heart rate (HR), expiratory CO2 (ETCO2) and respiratory rate (RR) across the test. Results Resting spleen volume was reduced with increasing altitude and further reduced with exercise at all altitudes. Mean (SE) baseline spleen volume at 1370 m was 252 (20) mL and after exercise, it was 199 (15) mL (P < 0.01). At 3700 m, baseline spleen volume was 231 (22) mL and after exercise 166 (12) mL (P < 0.05). At 4200 m baseline volume was 210 (23) mL and after exercise 172 (20) mL (P < 0.05). After 10 min, spleen volume increased to baseline at all altitudes (NS). Baseline Hb increased with altitude from 138.9 (6.1) g/L at 1370 m, to 141.2 (4.1) at 3700 m and 152.4 (4.0) at 4200 m (P < 0.01). At all altitudes Hb increased from baseline during exercise to 146.8 (5.7) g/L at 1370 m, 150.4 (3.8) g/L at 3700 m and 157.3 (3.8) g/L at 4200 m (all P < 0.05 from baseline). Hb had returned to baseline after 10 min rest at all altitudes (NS). The spleen-derived Hb elevation during exercise was smaller at 4200 m compared to 3700 m (P < 0.05). Cardiorespiratory variables were also affected by altitude during both rest and exercise. Conclusions The spleen contracts and mobilizes stored red blood cells during rest at high altitude and contracts further during exercise, to increase oxygen delivery to tissues during acute hypoxia. The attenuated Hb response to exercise at the highest altitude is likely due to the greater recruitment of the spleen reserve during rest, and that maximal spleen contraction is reached with exercise.

Download Full-text

The human spleen as an erythrocyte reservoir in diving-related interventions

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.00055.2001 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 92 (5) ◽

pp. 2071-2079 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

Kurt Espersen ◽

Hans Frandsen ◽

Torben Lorentzen ◽

Inge-Lis Kanstrup ◽

Niels J. Christensen

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Blood Flow ◽

Indirect Method ◽

Hemoglobin Concentration ◽

Breath Holding ◽

Breath Hold ◽

Peripheral Blood Flow ◽

Diving Response ◽

Human Spleen ◽

The Face

Twelve subjects without and ten subjects with diving experience performed short diving-related interventions. After labeling of erythrocytes, scintigraphic measurements were continuously performed during these interventions. All interventions elicited a graduated and reproducible splenic contraction, depending on the type, severity, and duration of the interventions. The splenic contraction varied between ∼10% for “apnea” (breath holding for 30 s) and “cold clothes” (cold and wet clothes applied on the face with no breath holding for 30 s) and ∼30–40% for “simulated diving” (simulated breath-hold diving for 30 s), “maximal apnea” (breath holding for maximal duration), and “maximal simulated diving” (simulated breath-hold diving for maximal duration). The strongest interventions (simulated diving, maximal apnea, and maximal simulated diving) elicited modest but significant increases in hemoglobin concentration (0.1–0.3 mmol/l) and hematocrit (0.3–1%). By an indirect method, the splenic venous hematocrit was calculated to 79%. No major differences were observed between the two groups. The splenic contraction should, therefore, be included in the diving response on equal terms with bradycardia, decreased peripheral blood flow, and increased blood pressure.

Download Full-text

Spleen Contraction During Sudden Eupneic Hypoxia Elevates Hemoglobin Concentration

Frontiers in Physiology ◽

10.3389/fphys.2021.729123 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Frank Pernett ◽

Felix Schagatay ◽

Caroline Vildevi ◽

Erika Schagatay

Keyword(s):

Acute Hypoxia ◽

Arterial Oxygen Saturation ◽

Hemoglobin Concentration ◽

Normobaric Hypoxia ◽

Short Exposure ◽

Arterial Oxygen ◽

Spleen Volume ◽

Hypoxia Exposure ◽

Arterial Blood ◽

Spleen Contraction

The spleen contracts progressively during moderate normobaric hypoxia exposure of 20 min, which elevates hemoglobin concentration (Hb). However, acute hypoxia exposure could be shorter and more severe when oxygen systems fail during, e.g., high-altitude sky diving, aircraft cabin pressure drop, balloon flights, extreme altitude climbing, and in some maladies. We aimed to evaluate the speed and magnitude of spleen contraction during short exposure to extreme eupneic hypoxia and its subsequent recovery on oxygen. Eight female and seven male volunteers were exposed to normobaric hypoxia (10% oxygen) for 10 min during sitting rest, followed by 10 min on 100% oxygen. Heart rate (HR), arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2), and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) were measured continuously. The spleen was measured via ultrasonic imaging every minute for volume calculations, and venous blood samples were drawn before and after exposure for hemoglobin concentration (Hb). Mean (SD) spleen volume was 279 (115) mL before exposure, 219 (75) mL (21% reduction; P = 0.005) at 3 min of exposure, and 201 (93) mL after 10 min exposure to hypoxia (28% reduction; P < 0.001). Hb was 138.8 (7.6) g·L−1 before and 142.9 (8.1) g·L−1 after 10 min of exposure (2.9% increase; P < 0.001). SpO2 was 96.4 (1.7)% before exposure and 74.7 (8.4)% during the last minute of exposure (22.5% reduction; P < 0.001). HR increased from 80 (14) to 90 (17) bpm during exposure (12% increase, P < 0.05). MAP remained unchanged. After 10 min recovery on oxygen, values had been restored for spleen volume and Hb, while SpO2 was higher and HR lower compared with before hypoxia exposure. We concluded that acute normobaric hypoxia of only 10 min caused significant spleen volume contraction with Hb increase. This rapid spleen response, evident already after 3 min of exposure, could have a protective effect during sudden exposure to severe hypoxia.

Download Full-text

Increase of Hemoglobin Concentration After Maximal Apneas in Divers, Skiers, and Untrained Humans

Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1139/h05-120 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 276-281 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Matt Richardson ◽

Robert de Bruijn ◽

H.-C. Holmberg ◽

Glenn Björklund ◽

Helena Haughey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Key Words ◽

Maximal Exercise ◽

Hemoglobin Concentration ◽

Breath Hold ◽

Erythrocyte Volume ◽

Spleen Contraction ◽

Cross Country Skiing ◽

Cross Country

Human splenic contraction occurs both during apnea and maximal exercise, increasing the circulating erythrocyte volume. We investigated the hematological responses to 3 maximal apneas performed by elite apneic divers, elite cross-country skiers, and untrained subjects. Post-apnea hemoglobin concentration had increased in all groups, but especially in divers. The increases disappeared within 10 min of recovery. Apneic duration across apneas also increased the most in divers. Responses in divers could be more pronounced as a result of apnea training. Key words: breath hold, serial apneas, spleen contraction, cross-country skiing

Download Full-text

Head Banging, Breath Holding Typically Go Away

Pediatric News ◽

10.1016/s0031-398x(07)70448-4 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 41 (7) ◽

pp. 33

Author(s):

PATRICE WENDLING

Keyword(s):

Breath Holding

Download Full-text

Harnessing Satellite 4D SAR for Glacier Surface Tracking over Khumbu Glacier at Mount Everest

10.1002/essoar.10502047.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Justyna Kosianka ◽

Daniela Moody

Keyword(s):

Mount Everest ◽

Glacier Surface ◽

Surface Tracking

Download Full-text

Die Anämie bei malignen Tumorerkrankungen

Nuklearmedizin ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1629498 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 28 (06) ◽

pp. 247-254

Author(s):

E. Aulbert

Keyword(s):

Malignant Tumors ◽

Gradient Centrifugation ◽

Tumor Resection ◽

Hemoglobin Concentration ◽

Limiting Factor ◽

Novikoff Hepatoma ◽

Tumor Mass ◽

Lysosomal Fraction ◽

Proliferation Activity ◽

Morris Hepatoma

The cellular uptake and lysosomal accumulation of 67Ga-labelled transferrin within tumors of different malignancy were examined using tissue fractionation and immunological techniques. As tumor models the slowly growing Morris hepatoma 5123C, the moderately growing Novikoff hepatoma and the fast and aggressive Yoshida hepatoma AH 130 were investigated. Isolation of subcellular fractions of tumor homogenates was performed by differential centrifugation and density-gradient centrifugation. The intracellular 67Gatransferrin was found to be highly concentrated within the purified lysosomes. The transferrin within the lysosomal fraction was identified by radial immunodiffusion technique using monospecific antiserum. The accumulation of 67Gatransferrin by the tumors resulted in a faster disappearance of 67Ga-transferrin from the blood. This loss of circulating 67Ga-transferrin correlated with the proliferation activity and the spread of the tumors. Since transferrin is indispensible for the utilization of iron by the heme-synthesizing red cell precursors, transferrin concentration in the blood is the limiting factor for the utilization of iron in hemoglobin synthesis. Thus, in a further series of experiments we investigated the development of anemia in tumor-bearing rats. With increasing tumor mass a progressive fall of hemoglobin concentration was found. The anemia was more severe in the faster growing Novikoff hepatoma than in the slowly growing Morris hepatoma. The most significant reduction of hemoglobin concentration was found in the very fast growing Yoshida hepatoma. After total tumor resection hemoglobin concentration and red blood cell count normalized completely within 6-8 weeks. We conclude from these data that the uptake of transferrin by the tumor cells results in a faster disappearance of transferrin from the blood. This loss of circulating transferrin correlates with tumor mass and proliferation activity and is one of the factors responsible for the anemia seen in patients with malignant tumors.

Download Full-text