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Elevated nitric oxide in blood is key to high altitude function for Tibetans

10-30-2007 · EurekAlert!

How can some people live at high altitudes and thrive while others struggle to obtain enough oxygen to function? The answer for Tibetans who live at altitudes around 14,000 feet is increased nitric oxide levels. High levels of NO circulate in various forms in the blood and produce the physiological mechanisms that cause the increased blood flow that maintains oxygen delivery despite hypoxia -- low levels of oxygen in the ambient air and the bloodstream.

Keywords: elevated, nitric, oxide, blood, key, altitude, function, tibetans, tibetan

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