Adaptations to Hypoxia in the Rat

The systemic adaptation mechanisms in this rat model resemble those of humans adapting to high altitude (28-30), except that rat hematocrit is much more elevated than the human. The effect of hypoxia on body weight is also similar to human adaptations in high altitude (31), which is thought to be due to decreased body water content (32). 

Prolonged hypoxia causes an increase in the concentration of the glucose in the brain (150% of control) and lactate (250% of control) and a decreased glycogen (75% of control) (25). The regional metabolic rate for glucose is also increased by 10-40% however, ATP and phosphocreatine content, as well as intracellular pH, were unchanged consistent with the notion that adaptation was successftil (25). A 

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