High altitude metahemoglobinemia

Abstract

SUMMARY. All high altitudes the human erythrocyte, subject to a permanent hypoxy, is the site of metabolic changes among which metahemoglobin has drawn our attention. The present work presents an. argument in favor of the hypothesis that metahemoglobin correspons to easily mobilized, reserve hemoglobin, in case of emergency. At the time of a maximum physical effort, the metahemoglobin level decreases quite significantly and follows a corresponding decrease in reduced, glutation. Moreover, a very significant increase of hematological constants (hematocrit, hemoglobin, red cell count) is seen during exertion to return to normal after a few minutes of recuperation.