Plasma electrolytes in relation to altitude tolerance in rats.
Plasma concentration of Na+, K+ and Cl- ions did not change significantly whereas that of HCO3- dropped to one-third of its initial value in rats during their 15 min of gasping at a simulated altitude of 10,000 m at 33 degrees C, which was their survival threshold. Administration of methamphetamine (2 mg/kg), imipramine (2 mg/kg) and adrenaline (7 mg/kg) i.p. were ineffective in prolonging the survival time of rats, whereas acetazolamide (40 mg/kg), furosemide (2 mg/kg) and caffeine citrate (10 mg/kg) significantly increased their survival under hypoxia, (p less than 0.001, less than 0.01, and less than 0.05, respectively).
D000531:Altitude; D000818:Animals; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000097:blood; D002712:Chlorides / Q000097:blood; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood*; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood
D001639:Bicarbonates; D002712:Chlorides; D004573:Electrolytes; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium