Effect of chronic hypoxia on the action of epinephrine in carbohydrate metabolism.

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Abstract
The action of a test dose of epinephrine on some aspects of carbohydrate metabolism was studied in 12 adult men residing at 150 m above sea level and in 12 residents of an altitude of 4, 540 m. The results seem to indicate that chronic exposure to high altitude has not a substantial effect on the glycogenolytic action of epinephrine on the liver. A higher increase in blood lactate suggests that the glycogenolytic action of epinephrine on the muscle may be affected by high-altitude environment. The difference in the rate of increase between the groups was of high significance during the 1st 30 min. of the experiment. Changes in blood pyruvate, plasma inorganic phosphate, and plasma K following the administration of epinephrine were practically the same in both groups of subjects. Chronic exposure to high altitude appeared to suppress the subjective symptoms produced by epinephrine.