Influence of Prolonged Carbon Monoxide Exposure and Altitude Hypoxia on Serum Lipids in Man

Abstract

Serum lipid levels were investigated in 8 young volunteers exposed to carbon monoxide (average carboxyhaemoglobin saturation 13 per cent) and to an altitude of 3.454 m for 8 and 10 days respectively. Small, but significant increases were seen in serum cholesterol levels during carbon monoxide exposure as well as at high altitude. It is suggested that this effect of hypoxia is due to an inhibition of lipoprotein lipase.

Key-words:

• Hypoxia
• Carbon monoxide
• cholesterol
• lipoprotein lipase