Evaluation of blood cellular and biochemical parameters in rats under a chronic hypoxic environment at high altitude

Background The purpose of this study was to explore the changes in blood cellular and biochemical parameters of rats in a natural environment of low pressure and low oxygen on the plateau. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats in two groups were raised in different environments from 4 weeks of age for a period of 24 weeks. They were raised to 28 weeks of age and then transported to the plateau medical laboratory of Qinghai University. Blood cellular and biochemical parameters were measured and the data of the two groups were statistically analyzed. Results 1. RBC in the HA group was higher than that in the Control group, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05), Compared with the Control group, HGB, MCV, MCH, MCHC and RDW in the HA group were significantly higher (p < 0.05). 2. Compared with the Control group, WBC, LYMP, EO, LYMP% and EO% in the HA group decreased significantly (p < 0.05), and ANC% increased significantly (p < 0.05). 3. In the platelet index, compared with the Control group, PLT in the HA group was significantly reduced (p < 0.05), PDW, MRV, P-LCR were significantly increased (p < 0.05). 4. In blood biochemical indicators, compared with the Control group, AST, TBIL, IBIL, LDH in the HA group decreased significantly (p < 0.05), CK in the HA group increased significantly (p < 0.05). Conclusions 1. The indexes related to red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and some biochemical indexes in the blood of rats at high altitude have changed. 2. Under the high altitude environment, the oxygen carrying capacity of SD rats is improved, the resistance to disease may be reduced, the coagulation and hemostasis functions may be affected, and there is a risk of bleeding. The liver function, renal function, heart function and skeletal muscle energy metabolism may be affected. 3. This study can provide an experimental basis for the research on the pathogenesis of high-altitude diseases from the perspective of blood. KEY MESSAGES In this study, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and blood biochemical indicators were included in the real plateau environment to comprehensively analyze the changes of blood cellular and biochemical parameters in rats under the chronic plateau hypobaric hypoxia environment. From the perspective of blood, this study can provide an experimental basis for research on the pathogenesis of high-altitude diseases. Explore the data support of oxygen-carrying capacity, disease resistance and energy metabolism of the body in the natural environment at high altitude.

Automated summary

This study aimed to explore the changes in blood cellular and biochemical parameters of rats in a natural environment of low pressure and low oxygen on the plateau. The results showed that under high-altitude environment, the rats' red blood cells and blood biochemical indicators changed, with improved oxygen carrying capacity, possibly reduced disease resistance, affected coagulation and hemostasis functions, and potential impact on liver function, renal function, heart function, and skeletal muscle energy metabolism.