Acid-base balance at high altitude in lowlanders and indigenous highlanders

Author(s):  
Michael M. Tymko ◽  
Christopher K. Willie ◽  
Connor A. Howe ◽  
Ryan L. Hoiland ◽  
Rachel Stone ◽  
...  

High-altitude exposure results in a hyperventilatory-induced respiratory alkalosis followed by renal compensation (bicarbonaturia) to return arterial blood pH(a) toward sea-level values. However, acid-base balance has not been comprehensively examined in both lowlanders and indigenous populations - where the latter are thought to be fully adapted to high-altitude. The purpose of this investigation was to compare acid-base balance between acclimatizing lowlanders, and Andean and Sherpa highlanders at various altitudes (~3,800, ~4,300, and ~5,000 m). We compiled data collected across five independent high-altitude expeditions and report the following novel findings: 1) at 3,800 m, Andeans (n=7) had elevated pHa compared to Sherpas (n=12; P<0.01), but not to lowlanders (n=16; nine days acclimatized; P=0.09); 2) at 4,300 m, lowlanders (n=16; 21 days acclimatized) had elevated pHa compared to Andeans (n=32) and Sherpas (n=11; both P<0.01), and Andeans had elevated pHa compared to Sherpas (P=0.01); and 3) at 5,000 m, lowlanders (n=16; 14 days acclimatized) had higher pHa compared to both Andeans (n=66) and Sherpas (n=18; P<0.01, and P=0.03, respectively), and Andean and Sherpa highlanders had similar blood pHa (P=0.65). These novel data characterize acid-base balance acclimatization and adaptation to various altitudes in lowlanders and indigenous highlanders.

1964 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 319-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. Severinghaus ◽  
A. Carceleń B.

CSF pH was shown in a prior report to remain essentially constant during 8 days of acclimatization to 3,800 m. In order to further evaluate the possible role of CSF acid-base equilibria in the regulation of respiration, 20 Peruvian Andean natives were studied at altitudes of 3,720–4,820 m. In ten subjects at 3,720 m, means were: CSF pH 7.327, Pco2 43, HCO3- 21.5, Na+ 136, K+ 2.6, Cl- 124, lactate 30 mg/100 ml. Arterial blood: pH 7.43, Pco2 32.5, HCO3- 21.3, Na+ 136, K+ 4.2, Cl- 107, hematocrit 49, SaOO2 89.6. In six subjects at 4,545 m and four at 4,820 m CSF values were not significantly different; mean arterial Pco2 was 32.6 and 32.3, respectively. The only significant variations with altitude were the expected lowering of PaOO2 to 47 and 43.5 mm Hg, and of SaOO2 to 84.2 and 80.7, and increase of hematocrit to 67% and 75%, respectively. The natives differed from recently acclimatized sea-level residents in showing less ventilation (higher Pco2) in response to the existing hypoxia, and less alkaline arterial blood. The difference appears to relate to peripheral chemoreceptor response to hypoxia rather than central medullary chemoreceptor. respiratory regulation at high altitude; chronic acclimatization to altitude; peripheral chemoreceptor response to hypoxia; CSF and medullary respiratory chemoreceptors Submitted on June 12, 1963


2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (3) ◽  
pp. G899-G904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Sjöblom ◽  
Olof Nylander

When running in vivo experiments, it is imperative to keep arterial blood pressure and acid-base parameters within the normal physiological range. The aim of this investigation was to explore the consequences of anesthesia-induced acidosis on basal and PGE2-stimulated duodenal bicarbonate secretion. Mice (strain C57bl/6J) were kept anesthetized by a spontaneous inhalation of isoflurane. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), arterial acid-base balance, and duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion (DMBS) were studied. Two intra-arterial fluid support strategies were used: a standard Ringer solution and an isotonic Na2CO3 solution. Duodenal single perfusion was used, and DMBS was assessed by back titration of the effluent. PGE2 was used to stimulate DMBS. In Ringer solution-infused mice, isoflurane-induced acidosis became worse with time. The blood pH was 7.15–7.21 and the base excess was about −8 mM at the end of experiments. The continuous infusion of Na2CO3 solution completely compensated for the acidosis. The blood pH was 7.36–7.37 and base excess was about 1 mM at the end of the experiment. Basal and PGE2-stimulated DMBS were markedly greater in animals treated with Na2CO3 solution than in those treated with Ringer solution. MAP was slightly higher after Na2CO3 solution infusion than after Ringer solution infusion. We concluded that isoflurane-induced acidosis markedly depresses basal and PGE2-stimulated DMBS as well as the responsiveness to PGE2, effects prevented by a continuous infusion of Na2CO3. When performing in vivo experiments in isoflurane-anesthetized mice, it is recommended to supplement with a Na2CO3 infusion to maintain a normal acid-base balance.


1981 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 1433-1436 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Machida

To study the mechanism of the action of progesterone on pulmonary ventilation during pregnancy, arterial and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) acid-base parameters were measured in 59 pregnant and 36 nonpregnant women at the periods of follicular phase, luteal phase, early pregnancy, late pregnancy, and puerperium. Marked respiratory alkalosis in both arterial blood and CSF was observed in pregnancy and puerperium. The degree of hypocapnia observed in the luteal phase and during pregnancy was closely related to the progesterone level in arterial blood. In conclusion, it is unlikely that the observed hyperventilation results from stimulation at the central chemosensitive areas or peripheral chemoreceptors.


2018 ◽  
Vol 08 (02) ◽  
pp. 051-056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matjaž Kopač

AbstractAlkalosis is a disorder of acid–base balance defined by elevated pH of the arterial blood. Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by primary elevation of the serum bicarbonate. Due to several mechanisms, it is often associated with hypochloremia and hypokalemia and can only persist in the presence of factors causing and maintaining alkalosis. Respiratory alkalosis is a consequence of dysfunction of respiratory system's control center. There are no pathognomonic symptoms. History is important in the evaluation of alkalosis and usually reveals the cause. It is important to evaluate volemia during physical examination. Treatment must be causal and prognosis depends on a cause.


1971 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 606-608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Wedemeyer ◽  
K. Chatterton

Overlapping Gaussian distribution curves were resolved into normal ranges for 1800 clinical test values obtained from caudal arterial blood or plasma of more than 1000 juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) held under defined conditions of diet and temperature. Estimated normal blood chemistry ranges were bicarbonate, 9.5–12.6 mEq/liter; blood urea nitrogen (BUN), 0.9–3.4 mg/100 ml; chloride, 122–136 mEq/liter; cholesterol, 88–262 mg/100 ml;pCO2, 2.6–6.1 mm Hg (10 C); glucose, 41–135 mg/100 ml; hematocrit, 32.5–52.5%; hemoglobin, 6.5–9.9 g/100 ml; total protein, 1.4–4.3 g/100 ml; blood pH (10 C), 7.51–7.83. The calculated range of normal acid–base balance vs. water temperature is also presented.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1970 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 730-736
Author(s):  
Katherine H. Halloran ◽  
Steven C. Schimpff ◽  
Jean G. Nicolas ◽  
Norman S. Talner

Tolerance to acetyl strophanthidin, a rapid-acting cardiac aglycone, was determined in 28 anesthetized mongrel puppies, ages 16 to 56 days, and compared to tolerance in 16 littermate puppies in whom acute hypercapnic acidemia was produced. The tolerance was also compared to that of four adult mongrel dogs. The toxic dose was defined as the intravenous amount required to produce four consecutive premature ventricular contractions. A marked variation in the toxic dose was found in the 28 control puppies (range 83 to 353 µg/kg, mean 169 µg/kg) which could not be correlated with age, arterial blood gases or pH, serum potassium or sodium, arterial pressure, or heart rate. The toxic dose was significantly greater in the puppies than in the adult dogs, in whom the mean toxic dose was 64 µg/kg (range 50 to 89 µg/kg). A significant increase in tolerance was also observed in the puppies with hypercapnic acidemia (mean toxic dose 220 µg/kg, range 93 to 375 µg/kg) in comparison to tolerance in the control puppies and despite the wide range of tolerance, each of the puppies with hypercapnic acidemia showed greater tolerance than its littermate control puppy. Assessment of the clinical implications of these findings will require study of the effects of alterations in acid-base balance on the inotropic effect of acetyl strophanthidin in addition to the toxic electrophysiologic effects.


1980 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 289-302
Author(s):  
R. G. Boutilier ◽  
D. G. McDonald ◽  
D. P. Toews

A combined respiratory and metabolic acidosis occurs in the arterial blood immediately following 30 min of strenuous activity in the predominantly skin-breathing urodele, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, and in the bimodal-breathing anuran, Bufo marinus, at 25 degrees C. In Bufo, the bulk of the post-exercise acidosis is metabolic in origin (principally lactic acid) and recovery is complete within 4-8 h. In the salamander, a lower magnitude, longer duration, metabolic acid component and a more pronounced respiratory acidosis prolong the recovery period for up to 22 h post-exercise. It is suggested that fundamental differences between the dominant sites for gas exchange (pulmonary versus cutaneous), and thus in the control of respiratory acid-base balance, may underline the dissimilar patterns of recovery from exercise in these two species.


1980 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 273-287
Author(s):  
D. G. McDonald ◽  
R. G. Boutilier ◽  
D. P. Toews

Strenuous exercise results in a marked blood acid-base disturbance which is accompanied by large increases in ventilation rate, heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure. Recovery to normal resting values follows an exponential time course with a half-time of approximately 2 h for all parameters except Pa, CO2 and ventilation rate. The latter return to normal by 30 min following the exercise period. Analysis reveals that there is initially a large discrepancy between the quantity of metabolic acids buffered in the blood and the blood lactate levels. The significance of this finding is discussed. Significant changes in the concentrations of chloride, bicarbonate and lactate, in both plasma and erythrocytes, accompany the blood acid-base disturbance. Chloride and bicarbonate appear to be passively distributed between the two compartments according to a Gibbs-Donnan equilibrium whereas lactate only slowly permeates the erythrocyte.


1957 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 631-637
Author(s):  
Herbert P Jacobi ◽  
Anthony J Barak ◽  
Meyer Beber

Abstract The Co2 combining power bears a variable relationship to the in vivo plasma bicarbonate concentration, depending upon the type and severity of acid-base distortion. In respiratory alkalosis and metabolic acidosis the Co2 combining power will usually be greater than the in vivo plasma bicarbonate concentration; whereas, in respiratory acidosis and metabolic alkalosis the Co2 combining power will usually be less. Co2 content, on the other hand, will always parallel the in vivo plasma bicarbonate concentration quite closely, being only slightly greater. These facts, together with other considerations which are discussed, recommend the abandonment of the determination of CO2 combining power.


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