A study of acid-base equilibrium in altitudinal hypoxia

The authors of this article studied the influence of hypoxia, on thirteen groups of male rats, at altitudes of 2 200 m; 5 000 m; and 8 000 m assimilated in a barochamber by chronic or acute exposure (from 2 hours to 21 days) upon the parameters of acid-base equilibrium. The data obtained demonstrated the development of gaseous alkalosis, which is directly proportional to the altitude and time of exposure, hypocapnia, a decrease in excess base and actual bicarbonate, as well as decreased in oxygen pressure. Adrenalin and noradrenalin administered intraperitoneally produced an acidotic effect. Adrenalectomized animals exposed to hypoxia developed mixed alkalosis-respiratory and metabolic reaction.