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Biomedical subjects

J A Dempsey

Publications and source records attributed to J A Dempsey.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Dependence of CSF on plasma bicarbonate during hypocapnia and hypoxemic hypocapnia.

We have previoulsy shown pH compensation to be similar in CSF and arterial blood during chronic hypoxemic hypocapnia in man and pony, and postulated that the compensatory reduction in CSF [HCO3] was dependent upon corresponding changes in [HCO3]a. We tested this hypothesis in anesthetized, paralyzed dogs by determining the effects of 7 or 14 hours of hypocapnia (PaCO2 20 and 30 mm Hg), hypoxemia (PaO2 30, 38 and 48 mm Hg) and hypocapnic hypoxemia on CSF acid-base status. [hco3]a was either permitted to fall normally or was held near control levels by NaHCO3 infusion. In hypocapnia and hypoxemic hypocapnia, the decrease in [HCO3] and % pH compensation in CSF were less than or equal to that in arterial blood. Most (51-89%) of the compensatory decrease in CSF [HCO3] was prevented by preventing the corresponding reduction in [HCO3]a. This dependence of changes in CSF on plasma [HCO3] required a concurrent decrease in CSF PCO2, but was largely independent of variations in plasma pH. A minor but significant portion of the decrease in CSF [HCO3] was achieved independently of corresponding changes in [HCO3]a. The contribution of this local mechanism to CSF [HCO3] regulation increased with increasing severity of hypocapnia or hypoxemia and was usually associated with a selective increase in CSF lactate. It was concluded that [HCO3] regulation in the CSF during hypoxemic hypocapnia was primarily dependent upon, and therefore limited by, the concomitant decrease in plasma [HCO3].

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Acute alterations in stroke volume during exercise at 3,100 m altitude.

Following 3 weeks exposure to an altitude of 3,100 m, the cardiac output response to upright submaximal exercise was examined in 3 healthy subjects breathing ambient air and breathing 60% oxygen. The procedure allowed acute alteration of the 2 conditions within a single testing period of 30 min, 60% oxygen breathing either preceding or following breathing ambient air. Cardiac output was also measured in two of the subjects during maximal exercise under these two conditions. Administration of the high oxygen inspirate during exercise had little effect on the level of cardiac output but resulted in an immediate bradycardia and a dramatic increase of approximately 16% in stroke volume. Stroke volumes during maximal exercise were also increased by approximately 10% by the administration of high oxygen. It is suggested that the condition of decreases exercise stroke volume which develops with chronic exposure to altitude may be largely the result of diminished myocardial contractility stemming from a condition of myocardial hypoxia.

Altitude↗

Cerebrospinal fluid alkalosis during high-altitude sojourn in unanesthetized ponies.

Unanesthetized adult female ponies were studied near sea level (250 m) and during sojourns to 3400 m (N=6) and 4300 m (N=7) altitude. The pH, PCO2, and PO2 of arterial blood and pH and PCO2 of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were measured under conditions of acute (1 hr) and chronic (1-45 days) hypoxia. Cerebrospinal fluid was sampled from the cisterna magna of the awake pony and arterial blood withdrawn from an indwelling arterial catheter. In both groups of animals, PaCO2 decreased slightly after 1 hr of hypoxia (delta PaCO2= - 0.6 mm Hg at 3400 m; - 3.9 mm Hg at 4300 m), decreased further after 1-5 days at high altitude (delta PaCO2= - 7.2 mm Hg at 3400 m; - 12.3 mm Hg at 4300 m) and then increased significantly after 6 days of chronic hypoxia (delta PaCO2= + 4.1 mm Hg at 3400 m; + 4.7 mm Hg at 4300 m). Although PaO2 decreased markedly during acute hypoxia, subsequent changes in PaCO2 at high altitude did not alter PaO2 from that observed during acute hypoxia (PaO2=52 mm Hg at 3400 m; 41 mm Hg at 4300 m). The pH of CSF increased during acute hypoxia (delta pH= + 0.013 unit at 3400 m; + 0.033 unit at 4300 m) and became more alkaline after 1-2 days at high altitude (delta pH= + 0.031 unit at 3400 m; + 0.064 unit at 4300 m). At 4300 m, CSF pH remained alkaline to control values throughout sojourn. Under these conditions of chronic hypocapnic hypoxia, CSF pH was imperfectly regulated and regulated in a magnitude equal to (3400 m) or less than (4300 m) arterial blood. Furthermore, the similarity of relative changes in CSF [HCO3-] and arterial [HCO3-] during chronic hypoxia may indicate a passive regulation of CSF [HCO3-] rather than local 'CSF-specific' mechanisms as previously proposed.

Acclimatization↗

Renal response to short-term hypocapnia in man.

This study examines the renal response to moderate hyperventilation in healthy man. Eight men hyperventilated for 26 hr (PaCO2 approximately 30 to 32 mm Hg) in normoxia (barometric pressure, PB approximately 740 mm Hg) and hypobaric hypoxia (PB approximately530 mm Hg). Anaerobic samples of arterial blood and urine were studied at two-hour intervals. Plasma [HCO3-] fell with time during sustained hypocapnia and after 26 hr was reduced 2.5 mEq/liter, with plasma pH compensated approximately 60%. Statistically significant changes in renal H+ handling were observed within the initial 2 hr of hyperventilation and were evident over the first 12 hr. Over 26 hr, mean total HCO3-excretion in hypocapnia was 10.2 mEq above control and mean total acid excretion (UVTA + UVNH4+) was 17.5 mEq below control. An increased urinary excretion of cations, especially sodium, accompanied the decrease in acid excretion. Plasma lactic acid accumulation was negligible. We conclude that renal mechanisms contribute significantly and relatively quickly to plasma pH compensation during the early phase of adaptation to hypocapnia in man.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Effects of moderate hypoxemia and hypocapnia on CSF [H+] and ventilation in man.

The effects of 26 h of normoxic hypocapnia (PaCO2, 31 MMHg) vs. 26 h of hypocapnia plus hypobaric hypoxia (PaCO2 32, PaO2 57 mmHg) were compared with respect to: a) CSF acid-base status; and b) the spontaneous ventilation (at PIO2 145 mmHg) which followed the imposed (voluntary) hyperventilation. For each condition of prolonged hypocapnia, PaCO2 was held constant throughout and pHa and [HCO3-]a were constant over the final 6-10 h. We assumed that measured changes in lumbar CSF acid-base status paralleled those in cisternal CSF. Spontaneous hyperventilation followed both normoxic and hypoxic hypocapnia but was significantly greater following hypoxic hypocapnia. In the CSF, pH compensation after 26 h of hyperventilation was incomplete (similar to 45-50%), was similar to that in arterial blood, and was unaffected by a superimposed hypoxemia. These data were inconsistent with current theory which proposes the regulation of CSF [HCO2] via local mechanisms and, in turn, the mediation of ventilatory acclimatization to hypoxemia and/or hypocapnia via CSF [H+]. Alternative mediators of ventilatory acclimatization were postulated, including mechanisms both dependent on and independent of "chemoreceptor" stimuli.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

HbO2 dissociation in man during prolonged work in chronic hypoxia.

In healthy human sojourners to 3,100 m we studied exercise-induced shifts in HbO2 dissociation: their regulation in femoral venous blood and their net effect on estimated capillary PO2 (PC-O2) in working skeletal muscle. Prolonged heavy work effected an increase of 10.3 plus or minus 0.9 mmHg in in vivo P50 (7.30 PH-v, 41 degrees C-v, and 45 Pv-CO2); due entirely to the additive effects of increased venous temperature and [H+]. The rightward curve shift during work at 3,000 m, compared to that at 250 m, produced a similar increase in in vivo P50 but a reduced net effect on PC-O2, because Cv-02 at 3,100 m was reduced similar to 2 ml/100 ml to the lower converging portions of the curve. The lower Cv-O2 (and Pv-O2) at 3,100 M was attributable to a small decrease in total systemic blood flow. The net effect of the rightward curve shift during exercise on mean to end-capillary PO2 was positive in most cases (+1 to +8 mmHg PCO2). However, it was shown that the levels of mean to end-capillary PO2 (28-13 mmHg), which would have been obtained during exercise in the absence of any rightward curve shift, were more than adequate to sustain a steady state of aerobic energy production in working skeletal muscle. These data do not support the concept of a significant contribution to oxygen delivery to working skeletal muscle from in vivo shifts in HbO2 dissociation, during either acclimatization to high altitude or during prolonged muscular work.

Acclimatization↗

Incomplete compensation of CSF [H+] in man during acclimatization to high altitude (48300 M).

This study has assessed the regulation of arterial blood and cerebrospinal fluid acid-base status in seven healthy men, at 250 m altitude and after 5 and 10-11 days sojourn at 4,300 m altitude (PaO2 = 39 mmHg day 1 to 48 mmHg day 11). We assumed that observed changes in lumbar spinal fluid acid-base status paralleled those in cisternal CSF, under these relatively steady-state conditions. Ventilatory acclimatization during the sojourn (-14 mmHg PaCO2 at day 11) was accompanied by: 1) reductions in [HCO3-] (-5 to -7 meq/1) which were similar in arterial blood and CSF; 2) substantial, yet incomplete, compensation (70-75%) of both CSF and blood pH; and 3) a level of CSF pH which was maintained significantly alkaline (+0.05 +/- 0.01) to normoxic control values. These data at 4,300 m confirmed and extended our previous findings for more moderate conditions of chronic hypoxia. It was postulated that the magnitude and time course of pH compensation in the CSF during chronic hypoxia and/or hypocapnia are determined by corresponding changes in plasma [HCO2-].

Acclimatization↗

Effect of sojourn at 4,300 m altitude on electroencephalogram and visual evoked response.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of sojourn at high altitude on cerebral electrical activity. Electroencephalographic (EEG) and visual evoked responses (VER) were recorded from seven healthy males under the following conditions: 1) during the first 2-3 h at 4,300 m altitude when Pao2 was maintained at 90 mmHg (control condition), 2) during the first 2-3 h of hypoxia (Pao2 = 40 mmHg), and 3) at 24- to 48-h intervals during the first 9-12 days of hypoxia. Electrode placement was according to the 10-20 International Electrode System. The VER was recorded from an electrode at the inion referred to the left ear. We found no significant changes from control cerebral electrical activity during the first 2-3 h of hypoxia. One subject's VER amplitude was greater than control on the 2nd and 3rd days of hypoxia and a similar change from control was consistently evident in a second subject beginning the 5th day of hypoxia. These changes suggest cortical depression. After the 5th day changes occurred in the remaining subjects which would be consistent with cortical excitation. In three subjects, EEG frequency was increased, amplitude decreased, and/or spiking became evident. In four subjects VER amplitude was reduced. Our findings provide support for the hypothesis that certain behavioral and physiological changes induced by sojourn at altitude could be caused by alterations in central nervous system function.

Acclimatization↗

Ventilatory acclimatization to moderate hypoxemia in man. The role of spinal fluid (H+).

This study has assessed the regulation of arterial blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pH and thereby their contribution to the control of breathing in normal man during various stages of ventilatory acclimatization to 3,100 m altitude. CSF acid-base status was determined: (a) from measurements of lumbar spinal fluid during steady-state conditions of chronic normoxia (250 m altitude) and at + 8 h and + 3-4 wk of hypobaric hypoxia; and (b) from changes in cerebral venous P(CO2) at + 1 h hypoxic exposure. After 3-4 wk at 3,100 m, CSF [H(+)] remained significantly alkaline to values obtained in either chronic normoxia or with 1 h hypoxic exposure and was compensated to the same extent ( approximately 66%) as was arterial blood [H(+)]. Ventilatory acclimatization to 3,100 m bore no positive relationship to accompanying changes in arterial P(O2) and pH and CSF pH: (a) CSF pH either increased or remained constant at 8 h and at 3-4 wk hypoxic exposure, respectively, coincident with significant, progressive reductions in Pa(CO2); (b) arterial P(O2) and pH increased progressively with time of exposure; and (c) in the steady-state of acclimatization to 3,100 m the combination of chemical stimuli present, i.e. Pa(O2) = 60 mm Hg, pHa and pH(CSF) = + 0.03-0.04 > control, was insufficient to produce the observed hyperventilation (Pa(CO2) = 32 mm Hg). It was postulated that ventilatory acclimatization to 3,100 m altitude was mediated by factors other than CSF [H(+)] and that the combination of chronic hypoxemia and hypocapnia of moderate degrees provided no mechanisms for the specific regulation of CSF [H(CO3) (-)] and hence for homeostasis of CSF [H(+)].

Acclimatization↗

Pulmonary gas exchange in nonnative residents of high altitude.

This study represented an initial attempt, by means of cross-sectional investigation, to determine the effects of chronic exposure to high altitude on pulmonary gas exchange. Single-breath D(Lco) and its components were determined at rest and during muscular work in two groups of healthy, non-smoking, sea level natives who had initiated 1-16 yr of residence at 3,100 m altitude either during physical maturation (at age 10+/-4 yr) or as adults (at age 26+/-4 yr). The relative degree of acclimatization achieved in these lowland residents was assessed through their comparison both with normal sea-level values and with two additional groups of short-term sojourners and natives to 3.100 m. D(Lco) at rest and work was significantly elevated above normal and above sojourner values in both groups of resident lowlanders at 3,100 m. The high D(Lco) in the native to 3,100 m was closely approximated in the younger resident lowlander at rest, but only during exercise in the adult resident lowlander. The high D(Lco) at rest and during exercise in the resident lowlanders was not attributable to differences in Hb concentration or in alveolar lung volume: and was accompanied primarily by an increased estimated Dm(co) and to a lesser extent by an expanded Vc. The interpretation and implications of these findings were limited by the low quantitative capability of Vc and Dm(co) estimates and by the cross-sectional nature of the study. Nevertheless, the higher than normal D(Lco) and Dm(co) in the non-native, long-term resident of 3,100 m was substantial, highly significant statistically, and consistent over a wide range of metabolic rates at rest and work. These data provide, then, a reasonable rationale upon which longitudinal experiments may be based to determine the true effects of chronic hypoxia on pulmonary gas exchange in man.

Acclimatization↗