Residents at high altitude show a lower glucose profile than sea-level residents throughout 12-hour blood continuous monitoring

High Alt Med Biol. 2007 Winter;8(4):307-11. doi: 10.1089/ham.2007.8407.

Abstract

It is known that residents at high altitude (HA) have a lower basal glycemia than residents at sea level (SL). However, whether such a difference is maintained throughout the full day remains unknown. We compared 12-h blood glucose profiles from 10 healthy males native residents at HA (3250 m) and 8 male residents at SL. Glucose profile at HA was lower throughout the glucose monitoring than that at SL (mean profile: 50.6 +/- 3.7 and 73.4 +/- 4.0 mg/dL, respectively; p < 0.001). Basal and postprandial insulin and triacylglycerol values were similar in both groups. In conclusion, HA natives resident have a lower blood glucose profile than SL residents throughout 12-h continuous monitoring.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acclimatization / physiology*
  • Adult
  • Altitude*
  • Blood Glucose / analysis*
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood*
  • Male
  • Monitoring, Physiologic
  • Mountaineering / physiology*
  • Postprandial Period
  • Reference Values

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Insulin