Living at high altitudes may lower the risk of diabetes, as red blood cells absorb glucose more effectively in low-oxygen environments, according to a new study from the Gladstone Institutes.
Research suggests that residing at high altitudes could significantly reduce the risk of developing diabetes. A study conducted by the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco has shed light on this phenomenon, revealing how red blood cells behave in low-oxygen environments.
The findings, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, indicate that at elevated altitudes, red blood cells take on the role of “sponges,” absorbing substantial amounts of glucose from the bloodstream. This adaptation occurs as oxygen levels drop, prompting these cells to modify their metabolism to enhance oxygen delivery throughout the body.
This metabolic shift also results in lower levels of circulating blood sugar, which researchers believe accounts for the reduced diabetes risk observed in populations living in mountainous regions. A previous study involving over 285,000 adults in the United States found that individuals residing at altitudes between 1,500 and 3,500 meters were significantly less likely to develop diabetes compared to those living at sea level, even after controlling for variables such as diet, age, and ethnicity.
“Red blood cells represent a hidden compartment of glucose metabolism that has not been appreciated until now,” said Isha Jain, a senior investigator at Gladstone and a professor of biochemistry at UC San Francisco. “This discovery could open up entirely new ways to think about controlling blood sugar.”
In earlier experiments, Jain’s team studied mice to gain insights into hypoxia, a condition characterized by reduced oxygen levels in the blood. They observed that mice exposed to thin air cleared sugar from their bloodstream almost immediately after eating, a characteristic typically associated with a lower risk of diabetes. However, the researchers initially struggled to determine where the sugar was being directed.
“We looked at muscle, brain, liver—all the usual suspects—but nothing in these organs could explain what was happening,” said Yolanda Martí-Mateos, a postdoctoral scholar in Jain’s lab and the study’s first author.
The breakthrough came when the team employed an alternative imaging method, which revealed that the red blood cells themselves were the missing “glucose sink.” Under hypoxic conditions, the mice produced an increased number of red blood cells, each of which absorbed significantly more glucose than they did under normal conditions.
To further explore this phenomenon, the researchers developed a drug called HypoxyStat, which mimics the effects of high altitude. In laboratory tests, this drug was able to completely reverse high blood sugar levels in diabetic mice.
Despite the promising results, the researchers acknowledged certain limitations in their study. The research focused on a specific strain of mice known for its sensitivity to blood sugar. While similar results have been observed in humans, testing additional strains would be necessary to confirm the universality of the findings.
Additionally, the team only studied young male mice, as age and sex can significantly influence red blood cell production. More research is needed to determine whether these findings apply to female and older populations.
“This is just the beginning,” Jain stated. “There’s still so much to learn about how the whole body adapts to changes in oxygen, and how we could leverage these mechanisms to treat a range of conditions.”
As researchers continue to investigate the implications of these findings, they may pave the way for new strategies in diabetes management and treatment, potentially benefiting millions of individuals at risk of this common disease.
According to Fox News, the study highlights the intricate relationship between environmental factors and metabolic health, opening new avenues for research and potential therapeutic interventions.