Investigation of the differences between the Tibetan and Han populations in the hemoglobin–oxygen affinity of red blood cells and in the adaptation to high-altitude environments

Figures & data

Figure 1. Schematic representation of the altitude in each group.

Table 1. The baseline characteristics of each group.

	Age	BMI	Smoking
Plain	24.17 ± 4.73	23.00 ± 1.74	No
Han entered plateau 3rd day	23.40 ± 4.30	23.49 ± 2.55	No
Han entered plateau 7th day	25.20 ± 3.97	22.73 ± 2.14	No
Plateau-acclimatized Han population	21.77 ± 1.28	22.68 ± 1.80	No
The plateau Han population (>10years living in plateau)	41.27 ± 6.92	22.28 ± 2.54	No
Tibetan	32.03 ± 9.71	22.99 ± 2.75	No

Figure 2. RBCs count and HGB concentration in different population. Whole blood was collected from the volunteers before and after entering the plateau, as well as Tibetan and Han population who lived in plateau for at least 10 years. RBCs count (A, C) and HGB concentration (B, D) were detected within 8 hours after blood collection. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 or ***P < 0.001 for subjects versus plain group.

Figure 3. P₅₀ value changes in different populations. The P₅₀ was detected in Han population (A) or in Tibetan (B) using a blood oxygen analyzer.

Figure 4. Linear relationship between P₅₀ value and RBC, HGB in plain population. The RBCs count (A) and HGB concentration (B) versus P₅₀ values during Han population rapidly entering plateau.