Control of breathing in Sherpas at low and high altitude

1980 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 374-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. H. Hackett ◽  
J. T. Reeves ◽  
C. D. Reeves ◽  
R. F. Grover ◽  
D. Rennie
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Ventilatory Response ◽  
Minute Ventilation ◽  
Acute Hypoxia ◽  
Arterial Oxygen Saturation ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Tension ◽  
Arterial Oxygen ◽  
Hypoxic Ventilatory Response ◽  
Oxygen Administration ◽  
End Tidal

Sherpas are well known for their physical performance at extreme altitudes, yet they are reported to have blunted ventilatory responses to acute hypoxia and relative hypoventilation in chronic hypoxia. To examine this paradox, we studied ventilatory control in Sherpas in comparison to that in Westerners at both low and high altitude. At low altitude, 25 Sherpas had higher minute ventilation, higher respiratory frequency, and lower end-tidal carbon dioxide tension than 25 Westerners. The hypoxic ventilatory response of Sherpas was found to be similar to that in Westerners, even though long altitude exposure had blunted the responses of some Sherpas. At high altitude, Sherpas again had higher minute ventilation and a tendency toward higher arterial oxygen saturation than Westerners. Oxygen administration increased ventilation further in Sherpas but decreased ventilation in Westerners. We conclude that Sherpas differ from other high-altitude natives; their hypoxic ventilatory response is not blunted, and they exhibit relative hyperventilation.

Intermittent hypoxia increases ventilation and SaO2 during hypoxic exercise and hypoxic chemosensitivity

2001 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
pp. 1431-1440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keisho Katayama ◽  
Yasutake Sato ◽  
Yoshifumi Morotome ◽  
Norihiro Shima ◽  
Koji Ishida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intermittent Hypoxia ◽  
Minute Ventilation ◽  
Acute Hypoxia ◽  
Arterial Oxygen Saturation ◽  
Submaximal Exercise ◽  
Arterial Oxygen ◽  
Hypoxic Exposure ◽  
Hypoxic Ventilatory Response ◽  
Ventilatory Equivalent ◽  
Hypoxic Exercise

The purpose of this study was 1) to test the hypothesis that ventilation and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2 ) during acute hypoxia may increase during intermittent hypoxia and remain elevated for a week without hypoxic exposure and 2) to clarify whether the changes in ventilation and SaO2 during hypoxic exercise are correlated with the change in hypoxic chemosensitivity. Six subjects were exposed to a simulated altitude of 4,500 m altitude for 7 days (1 h/day). Oxygen uptake (V˙o 2), expired minute ventilation (V˙e), and SaO2 were measured during maximal and submaximal exercise at 432 Torr before (Pre), after intermittent hypoxia (Post), and again after a week at sea level (De). Hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) was also determined. At both Post and De, significant increases from Pre were found in HVR at rest and in ventilatory equivalent for O2(V˙e/V˙o 2) and SaO2 during submaximal exercise. There were significant correlations among the changes in HVR at rest and inV˙e/V˙o 2 and SaO2 during hypoxic exercise during intermittent hypoxia. We conclude that 1 wk of daily exposure to 1 h of hypoxia significantly improved oxygenation in exercise during subsequent acute hypoxic exposures up to 1 wk after the conditioning, presumably caused by the enhanced hypoxic ventilatory chemosensitivity.

Respiratory control in humans after 8 h of lowered arterial Po 2, hemodilution, or carboxyhemoglobinemia

2001 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
pp. 1189-1195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohui Ren ◽  
Keith L. Dorrington ◽  
Peter A. Robbins
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Content ◽  
Ventilatory Response ◽  
Acute Hypoxia ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Respiratory Control ◽  
Progressive Increase ◽  
Arterial Oxygen ◽  
Hypoxic Ventilatory Response ◽  
Arterial Oxygen Content ◽  
End Tidal

In humans exposed to 8 h of isocapnic hypoxia, there is a progressive increase in ventilation that is associated with an increase in the ventilatory sensitivity to acute hypoxia. To determine the relative roles of lowered arterial Po 2 and oxygen content in generating these changes, the acute hypoxic ventilatory response was determined in 11 subjects after four 8-h exposures: 1) protocol IH (isocapnic hypoxia), in which end-tidal Po 2 was held at 55 Torr and end-tidal Pco 2 was maintained at the preexposure value; 2) protocol PB (phlebotomy), in which 500 ml of venous blood were withdrawn; 3) protocol CO, in which carboxyhemoglobin was maintained at 10% by controlled carbon monoxide inhalation; and 4) protocol C as a control. Both hypoxic sensitivity and ventilation in the absence of hypoxia increased significantly after protocol IH ( P < 0.001 and P < 0.005, respectively, ANOVA) but not after the other three protocols. This indicates that it is the reduction in arterial Po 2 that is primarily important in generating the increase in the acute hypoxic ventilatory response in prolonged hypoxia. The associated reduction in arterial oxygen content is unlikely to play an important role.

Sea-level PCO2 relates to ventilatory acclimatization at 4,300 m

1993 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 1117-1122 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. T. Reeves ◽  
R. E. McCullough ◽  
L. G. Moore ◽  
A. Cymerman ◽  
J. V. Weil
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
Ventilatory Response ◽  
Arterial Oxygen Saturation ◽  
Barometric Pressure ◽  
Interindividual Variation ◽  
Arterial Oxygen ◽  
Hypoxic Ventilatory Response ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Time Required ◽  
End Tidal

There is considerable variation among individuals in the extent of, and the time required for, ventilatory acclimatization to altitude. Factors related to this variation are unclear. The present study tested whether interindividual variation in preascent ventilation or magnitude of hypoxic ventilatory response related to ventilatory acclimatization to altitude. Measurements in 37 healthy resting male subjects at sea level indicated a wide range (34–48 Torr) of end-tidal PCO2 values. When these subjects were taken to Pikes Peak, CO (4,300 m, barometric pressure 462 mmHg), the end-tidal PCO2 values measured on arrival and repeatedly over 19 days were correlated with the sea-level end-tidal PCO2. At 4,300 m, subjects with high end-tidal PCO2 had low values of arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2). Also, sea-level end-tidal PCO2 related to SaO2 after 19 days at 4,300 m. Twenty-six of the subjects had measurements of isocapnic hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) at sea level. The end-tidal PCO2 values on arrival and after 19 days residence at 4,300 m were inversely related to the sea-level HVR values. Thus both the PCO2 and the HVR as measured at sea level related to the extent of subsequent ventilatory acclimatization (decrease in end-tidal PCO2) and the level of oxygenation at altitude. The finding in our cohort of subjects that sea-level end-tidal PCO2 was inversely related to HVR raised the possibility that among individuals the magnitude of the hypoxic drive to breathe influenced the amount of ventilation at all altitudes, including sea level.

Low chemoresponsiveness and inadequate hyperventilation contribute to exercise-induced hypoxemia

1995 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 575-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Harms ◽  
J. M. Stager
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Ventilatory Response ◽  
Minute Ventilation ◽  
Arterial Oxygen Saturation ◽  
Maximal Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Co2 Production ◽  
Arterial Oxygen ◽  
Ventilatory Parameters ◽  
Exercise Induced ◽  
End Tidal

Is inadequate hyperventilation a cause of the exercise-induced hypoxemia observed in some athletes during intense exercise? If so, is this related to low chemoresponsiveness? To test the hypothesis that exercise-induced hypoxemia, inadequate hyperventilation, and chemoresponsiveness are related, 36 nonsmoking healthy men were divided into hypoxemic (Hyp; n = 13) or normoxemic (Nor; n = 15) groups based on arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2; Hyp < or = 90%, Nor > 92%) observed during maximum O2 uptake (VO2max). Men with intermediate SaO2 values (n = 8) were only included in correlation analysis. Ventilatory parameters were collected at rest, during a treadmill maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) test, and during a 5-min run at 90% VO2max. Chemoresponsiveness at rest was assessed via hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) and hypercapnic ventilatory response (HCVR). VO2max was not significantly different between Nor and Hyp. SaO2 was 93.8 +/- 0.9% (Nor) and 87.7 +/- 2.0% (Hyp) at VO2max. End-tidal PO2 and the ratio of minute ventilation to oxygen consumption (VE/VO2) were lower while PETCO2 was higher for Hyp (P < or = 0.01). End-tidal PO2, end-tidal PCO2, and VE/VO2 correlated (P < or = 0.05) to SaO2 (r = 0.84, r = -0.70, r = 0.72, respectively), suggesting that differences in oxygenation were due to differences in ventilation. HVR and HCVR were significantly lower for Hyp. HVR was related to VE/VO2 (r = 0.43), and HCVR was related to the ratio of VE to CO2 production at VO2max (r = 0.61)

Ventilatory responses to hypercapnia and hypoxia during continuous aspirin ingestion

1977 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 971-976 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Riley ◽  
B. A. Legawiec ◽  
T. V. Santiago ◽  
N. H. Edelman
Keyword(s):  
Ventilatory Response ◽  
Minute Ventilation ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Tension ◽  
Base Line ◽  
Hypoxic Ventilatory Response ◽  
Ventilatory Responses ◽  
Hypercapnic Ventilatory Response ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
End Tidal

Hypercapnic and hypoxic ventilatory responses were serially measured in nine normal subjects given 3.9 g aspirin (ASA) per day for 9 days. Minute ventilation (VE), end-tidal carbon dioxide tension (PETCO2), venous bicarbonate concentration [HCO3-], oxygen consumption (VO2), hypercapnic ventilatory response (deltaVE/deltaPCO2), and isocapnic hypoxic ventilatory response (A) were determined before, 2 h after the first dose, and at 72-h intervals during the next 14 days. Serum salicylate levels averaged 18.6 +/- 2.0 mg/dl. VE increased (P less than 0.05, PETCO2 decreased (P less than 0.05), and [HCO3-] did not change significantly during drug ingestion. deltaVE/deltaPCO2 increased gradually to a value 37% greater than control by day 3 and remained constant (P less 0.01). A increased by 251% and VO2 by 18% within 2 h and remained constant for the remainder of the ASA period (P less than 0.01). All values returned to base line within 24 h following cessation of ASA. We conclude that during continuous ASA ingestion there is a gradual increase of hypercapnic ventilatory response. This may reflect slow entrance of ASA into the central nervous system. In contrast, there is a rapid rise in hypoxic ventilatory response which may be mechanically linked to changes in metabolic rate.

Low acute hypoxic ventilatory response and hypoxic depression in acute altitude sickness

1986 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 1407-1412 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. G. Moore ◽  
G. L. Harrison ◽  
R. E. McCullough ◽  
R. G. McCullough ◽  
A. J. Micco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Ventilatory Response ◽  
Acute Hypoxia ◽  
Hypoxic Ventilatory Response ◽  
Hypoxic Response ◽  
Altitude Sickness ◽  
Altitude Exposure ◽  
End Tidal ◽  
Arterial O2 Saturation ◽  
Asymptomatic Subjects

Persons with acute altitude sickness hypoventilate at high altitude compared with persons without symptoms. We hypothesized that their hypoventilation was due to low initial hypoxic ventilatory responsiveness, combined with subsequent blunting of ventilation by hypocapnia and/or prolonged hypoxia. To test this hypothesis, we compared eight subjects with histories of acute altitude sickness with four subjects who had been asymptomatic during prior altitude exposure. At a simulated altitude of 4,800 m, the eight susceptible subjects developed symptoms of altitude sickness and had lower minute ventilations and higher end-tidal PCO2′s than the four asymptomatic subjects. In measurements made prior to altitude exposure, ventilatory responsiveness to acute hypoxia was reduced in symptomatic compared to asymptomatic subjects, both when measured under isocapnic and poikolocapnic (no added CO2) conditions. Diminution of the poikilocapnic relative to the isocapnic hypoxic response was similar in the two groups. Ventilation fell, and end-tidal PCO2 rose in both groups during 30 min of steady-state hypoxia relative to values observed acutely. After 4.5 h at 4,800 m, ventilation was lower than values observed acutely at the same arterial O2 saturation. The reduction in ventilation in relation to the hypoxemia present was greater in symptomatic than in asymptomatic persons. Thus the hypoventilation in symptomatic compared to asymptomatic subjects was attributable both to a lower acute hypoxic response and a subsequent greater blunting of ventilation at high altitude.

scholarly journals Spleen contraction elevates hemoglobin concentration at high altitude during rest and exercise

2020 ◽  
Vol 120 (12) ◽  
pp. 2693-2704
Author(s):  
Erika Schagatay ◽  
Alexander Lunde ◽  
Simon Nilsson ◽  
Oscar Palm ◽  
Angelica Lodin-Sundström
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Acute Hypoxia ◽  
Arterial Oxygen Saturation ◽  
Hemoglobin Concentration ◽  
Step Test ◽  
Arterial Oxygen ◽  
Spleen Volume ◽  
Spleen Contraction ◽  
Response To Exercise ◽  
Rest 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.

Living high-training low increases hypoxic ventilatory response of well-trained endurance athletes

2002 ◽  
Vol 93 (4) ◽  
pp. 1498-1505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan E. Townsend ◽  
Christopher J. Gore ◽  
Allan G. Hahn ◽  
Michael J. McKenna ◽  
Robert J. Aughey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ventilatory Response ◽  
Minute Ventilation ◽  
Respiratory Control ◽  
Endurance Athletes ◽  
Hypoxic Exposure ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Hypoxic Ventilatory Response ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Altitude Exposure ◽  
End Tidal

This study determined whether “living high-training low” (LHTL)-simulated altitude exposure increased the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) in well-trained endurance athletes. Thirty-three cyclists/triathletes were divided into three groups: 20 consecutive nights of hypoxic exposure (LHTLc, n = 12), 20 nights of intermittent hypoxic exposure (four 5-night blocks of hypoxia, each interspersed with 2 nights of normoxia, LHTLi, n = 10), or control (Con, n = 11). LHTLc and LHTLi slept 8–10 h/day overnight in normobaric hypoxia (∼2,650 m); Con slept under ambient conditions (600 m). Resting, isocapnic HVR (ΔV˙e/ΔSpO2 , whereV˙e is minute ventilation and SpO2 is blood O2 saturation) was measured in normoxia before hypoxia (Pre), after 1, 3, 10, and 15 nights of exposure (N1, N3, N10, and N15, respectively), and 2 nights after the exposure night 20 (Post). Before each HVR test, end-tidal Pco 2(Pet CO2 ) and V˙e were measured during room air breathing at rest. HVR (l · min−1 · %−1) was higher ( P < 0.05) in LHTLc than in Con at N1 (0.56 ± 0.32 vs. 0.28 ± 0.16), N3 (0.69 ± 0.30 vs. 0.36 ± 0.24), N10 (0.79 ± 0.36 vs. 0.34 ± 0.14), N15 (1.00 ± 0.38 vs. 0.36 ± 0.23), and Post (0.79 ± 0.37 vs. 0.36 ± 0.26). HVR at N15 was higher ( P < 0.05) in LHTLi (0.67 ± 0.33) than in Con and in LHTLc than in LHTLi. Pet CO2 was depressed in LHTLc and LHTLi compared with Con at all points after hypoxia ( P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed for V˙e at any point. We conclude that LHTL increases HVR in endurance athletes in a time-dependent manner and decreases Pet CO2 in normoxia, without change inV˙e. Thus endurance athletes sleeping in mild hypoxia may experience changes to the respiratory control system.

Hypoxic Arousal Responses in Normal Infants

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 89 (5) ◽  
pp. 860-864 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally L. Davidson Ward ◽  
Daisy B. Bautista ◽  
Thomas C. Keens
Keyword(s):  
Ventilatory Response ◽  
Arterial Oxygen Saturation ◽  
Periodic Breathing ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Arterial Oxygen ◽  
Sudden Infant ◽  
Hypoxic Ventilatory Response ◽  
Quiet Sleep ◽  
Term Infants ◽  
Increased Risk

Failure to arouse in response to hypoxia has been described in infants at increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and has been suggested as a possible mechanism for SIDS. However, most SIDS victims are not in a high-risk group before death. Thus, if a hypoxic arousal disorder is an important contributor to SIDS, normal infants might fail to arouse from sleep in response to hypoxia. To test this hypothesis, the authors studied hypoxic arousal responses in 18 healthy term infants younger than 7 months of age (age 12.1 ± 1.7 [SEM] weeks; 56% girls). Hypoxic arousal challenges were performed during quiet sleep by rapidly decreasing inspired oxygen tension (Pio2) to 80 mm Hg for 3 minutes or until arousal (eye opening, agitation, and crying) occurred. Tests were performed in duplicate when possible. Only 8 infants (44%) aroused in response to one or more hypoxic challenges; arousal occurred during 8 (32%) of 25 trials. There were no significant differences in lowest Pio2 or arterial oxygen saturation during hypoxia between those infants who aroused and those who failed to arouse. All 18 infants had a fall in their end-tidal carbon dioxide tension during hypoxia, suggesting that each had a hypoxic ventilatory response despite failure to arouse in the majority. Periodic breathing occurred following hypoxia in only 1 (13%) of the 8 trials that resulted in arousal, compared with 16 (94%) of 17 trials without arousal (P &lt; .005). It is concluded that the majority of normal infants younger than 7 months of age fail to arouse from quiet sleep in response to hypoxia, despite the apparent presence of a hypoxic ventilatory response.

Two patterns of daily hypoxic exposure and their effects on measures of chemosensitivity in humans

2007 ◽  
Vol 103 (6) ◽  
pp. 1973-1978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael S. Koehle ◽  
A. William Sheel ◽  
William K. Milsom ◽  
Donald C. McKenzie
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Saturation ◽  
Intermittent Hypoxia ◽  
Ventilatory Response ◽  
Arterial Oxygen Saturation ◽  
Arterial Oxygen ◽  
Hypoxic Exposure ◽  
Hypoxic Ventilatory Response ◽  
The Third ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
The Mean

The purpose of this study was to compare chemoresponses following two different intermittent hypoxia (IH) protocols in humans. Ten men underwent two 7-day courses of poikilocapnic IH. The long-duration IH (LDIH) protocol consisted of daily 60-min exposures to normobaric 12% O2. The short-duration IH (SDIH) protocol comprised twelve 5-min bouts of 12% O2, separated by 5-min bouts of room air, daily. Isocapnic hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) was measured daily during the protocol and 1 and 7 days following. Hypercapnic ventilatory response (HCVR) and CO2 threshold and sensitivity (by the modified Read rebreathing technique) were measured on days 1, 8, and 14. Following 7 days of IH, the mean HVR was significantly increased from 0.47 ± 0.07 and 0.47 ± 0.08 to 0.70 ± 0.06 and 0.79 ± 0.06 l·min−1·%SaO2−1 (LDIH and SDIH, respectively), where %SaO2 is percent arterial oxygen saturation. The increase in HVR reached a plateau after the third day. One week post-IH, HVR values were unchanged from baseline. HCVR increased from 3.0 ± 0.4 to 4.0 ± 0.5 l·min−1·mmHg−1. In both the hyperoxic and hypoxic modified Read rebreathing tests, the slope of the CO2/ventilation plot was unchanged by either intervention, but the CO2/ventilation curve shifted to the left following IH. There were no correlations between the changes in response to hypoxia and hypercapnia. There were no significant differences between the two IH protocols for any measures, indicating that comparable changes in chemoreflex control occur with either protocol. These results also suggest that the two methods of measuring CO2 response are not completely concordant and that the changes in CO2 control do not correlate with the increase in the HVR.

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