New research in mice has found that the increased number of red blood cells in high-altitude conditions acts as a glucose store and reduces blood sugar levels.
A new study in mice published in Cell Metabolism may help explain why diabetes rates tend to be lower in high-altitude regions such as the Andes or the Himalayas. The investigation points to a unexpected role of red blood cells in blood sugar regulation, paving the way for new therapeutic approaches.
The work, led by Isha Jain of the University of California, San Francisco and the Gladstone Institutes, suggests that these blood cells may act as a “deposit” of glucose in low oxygen conditions, contributing to the reduction of blood sugar levels.
The researchers started from an already known observation: populations that live in environments with low oxygen concentrations present lower incidence of diabetes. Previous studies had already demonstrated a similar effect in rats exposed to hypoxia, but did not explain where the glucose disappeared.
To investigate, the team exposed rats to environments with only 8% oxygensimulating high altitude conditions, while a control group remained at normal levels (21%). After several weeks, the animals were subjected to glucose tests. Rats in a low oxygen environment presented significantly lower blood sugar spikes and greater capacity to eliminate glucose, with the effect persisting even after returning to normal conditions.
Further analysis revealed that red blood cells play a central role in this process. The researchers found that, under hypoxic conditions, these cells absorb more glucose and convert it into a molecule that facilitates the release of oxygen in tissues. This mechanism is associated with higher levels of the GLUT1 protein, responsible for the entry of glucose into cells, found in greater quantities in red blood cells produced in low-oxygen environments, explains Live Science.
Additional experiments reinforced the conclusion: artificially reducing the number of red blood cells eliminated the glucose lowering effectwhile transfusions of these cells into normal mice led to a drop in blood sugar levels.
External experts consider that the results make sense from a biological point of view, since the organism naturally increases red blood cell production at altitude to improve oxygen transport.
The study also tested an experimental compound, HypoxyStat, which simulates the effects of hypoxia, showing potential for future therapies. However, scientists warn that more studies are needed before any application in humans.
