Alterations in red blood cell rheological properties in healthy people living at low and mid‐altitudes

Abstract

People with existing health problems or reduced fitness may feel effects at a much lower altitudes than those who are more physically able. On the other hand living at higher altitudes is different than visiting. A number of studies describe many hematologic changes at extremely high altitudes. However, little information is known about the effect of long‐term living at mid‐altitude on hemorheologic parameters. In this study, the changes of hemorheological properties were investigated on 2 groups of healthy people aged 18–46, who have been living at low (1300m) and mid (2300m) altitude at Erciyes Mountain in Kayseri. Blood samples were taken from the antecubital vein using EDTA as the anticoagulant. An aliquot of the whole blood was used to analyse routine hematological parameters. RBC, HGB and PCV values were higher at mid altitudes than those at low altitudes. However, there were no significant differences in MCV, MCH and MCHC as red cell indices between two groups. As rheological parameters, erythrocyte deformability and osmotic fragility values were lower for people who lived at mid altitude compared to low altitude but an increase was observed in RBC aggregation index. It is known that the hemorheological properties of red blood cell membrane may be changed under hypoxic conditions depend on different altitudes. As a result, these results contribute to the knowledge of the pathogenesis of high altitude disease and stress the significance of altered hemorheology as one of the mechanisms possibly involved in the vascular events observed high altitude conditions. Supported by ERU. The Scientific Research Coordination Unit (BAP). Project No: TOA‐11‐3320