VIII.—Observations upon the effect of high altitude on the physiological processes of the human body, carried out in the Peruvian Andes, chiefly at Carro de Pasco. - Report to the Peru High-Altitude Committee

Abstract

What is reported in the following pages is an example of work achieved in a relatively short time by the co-operation of a sufficient number of institutions and individuals. The venue of this research was in the Andes, and the work was carried out in the winter 1921-1922, yet its organisation only commenced definitely in the early summer of 1921, when a group of British and American physiologists secured the support of the various universities or other institutions to which they were attached. This support was given in the most ungrudging way. It included the liberation from immediate duty of the members of the party, often at considerable inconvenience to those who remained at home, the loan of apparatus, the contribution of substantial funds, and a great body of goodwill, which was perpetually translating itself into increased efficiency of the work actually accomplished. The following collaborated in one or more of the ways indicated above:— The Department of Physical Chemistry of Harvard University. The Proctor Fund of Harvard University. The Elizabeth Thompson Fund. The Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research, New York City. Columbia University.—From a fund, to which contributions were made by Dr. Walter B. James, Mr. Cleveland H. Dodge, and a contributor who wishes to withhold his name, but to whom thanks are none the less due. The Royal Society of London. The Research Grant to the Physiological Department of the University of Toronto. The Moray Fund, Edinburgh. The Carnegie Fund, Edinburgh. Sir Robert Hadfield, Bart., F. R. S. Sir Peter Mackie, Bart.

The in-vivo oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve at sea level and high altitude

“…He suggested that at lower altitudes there is the presence of some other acid, due to an acid-base adjustment performed by the kidneys. In yet another study Barcroft et al (1923) reported a left-shifted ODC at altitude as measured at the prevailing PCO 2 , which in this particular study was between 25-30 mmHg. This leftward shift was attributed to alkalemia and was argued to be beneficial, as it would enhance O 2 loading at the lung.…”

“…The ODC was first measured in highlanders at altitude by Barcroft et al (1923), who reported a left-shifted curve in Peruvian highlanders as compared to that of lowlanders at sea level. This was attributed to alkalemia of acclimatization, since a similar shift was observed in the lowlanders studied at the same altitude.…”

“…In one of their studies, Barcroft et al (1923) found a slightly increased affinity of Hb for O 2 . They argued that this was beneficial, as it would enhance O 2 loading from the atmosphere at the lungs.…”

Cardiac cachexia in early literature: a review of research prior to Medline

“…The subject of cellular hypoxia became a focus of metabolic research already at the beginning of the 20th century. First blood gas analyses were reported as early as 1919 [16], and in 1923 it was observed in studies at high altitudes that in thin air, study subjects would involuntarily lose weight [44]. Evidence for reduced tissue oxygen supply came mostly from indirect observations like increased erythropoietic activity and elevated lactate production.…”

The Role of Oxygen in the Regulation of Erythropoiesis. Depression of the Rate of Delivery of New Red Cells to the Blood by High Concentrations of Inspired Oxygen 12

“…The most commonly held theory, for which there is considerable support, implies that one of the factors which controls red blood cell production is the oxygen tension in the marrow itself. Since chronic hypoxia is associated with secondary polycythemia (2,43,44), it is assumed that the resultant low oxygen tension in marrow stimulates erythrocytogenesis. Conversely, if erythroid tissue is exposed to an increased oxygen tension, the rate of red cell formation would be expected to decrease.…”