Abstract
Summary
Exposure of rats to an atmosphere containing 13% oxygen immediately after encapsulation of their kidneys with latex envelopes prevented the elevation of systolic blood pressure to the level of encapsulated controls maintained in an atmosphere containing 21% oxygen. The protection afforded remained only as long as the rats were exposed to hypoxia. Following return to 21% oxygen, mean blood pressure of the treated group was identical with that of untreated controls within 2.5 weeks. Paired-feeding of the control animals to match their food intake with that of the rats exposed to 13% oxygen assured that the protective effect of hypoxia was not related to an accompanying anorexia. The mechanism responsible for the protection observed is unknown but may be associated with one or a number of the physiological and biochemical changes induced by hypoxia.
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