Muscle enzymatic composition and metabolic regulation in high altitude adapted natives.

摘要: Quechuas and Sherpas have long attracted the interest of high altitude biology medicine. From our current knowledge, it appears that three their most impressive adaptations are (i) efficiency performance even in hypobaric hypoxia, (ii) low maximum (aerobic anaerobic) capacities, (iii) endurance (the latter being less well documented, but widely accepted). Muscle biopsy enzyme activity measurements clarify basis for at least some these adaptations. Firstly, levels enzymes oxidative metabolism (comparable to power athletes) predict VO2max as previously observed. Secondly, anaerobic glycolytic capacities also which explains work capacities. Thirdly, pathway is seemingly organized carbohydrate oxidation, not fermentation. Because glucose (glycogen) uses O2 efficiently, characteristic may arise from coupling carbohydrate-based adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis with efficient pathways ATP utilization (for yield muscle work/ATP).