Red blood cells “overlooked”

Accordingly, the share of red blood cells (hematocrit value) is related to the sugar level. So far this has apparently been “overlooked”. Red blood cells are responsible for the transport of oxygen in the blood. Too low is too low a value, for example from iron deficiency, but an excessive value, on the other hand, occurs with hormonal disorders and certain types of blood cancer.

For endurance athletes, the hematocrit value is an important reference variable: if the red and blood body content increases, more oxygen can circulate in the organism, which increases performance. This value can, for example, be increased with the training at higher locations. Because the oxygen content in the air is lower, the body responds to the formation of more oxygen transporters in the blood.

Height air for overweight mice
Until now, science has thought that the lower atmospheric oxygen content at high locations will reduce blood sugar levels. A greater role of the blood cells was unknown. The research team around Clemens Fürnsinn has simulated the height air environment for overweight mice in the laboratory for this knowledge. It was observed that sugar levels fell in the animals, although they had no weight loss. The same effect took place when the mice received donor blood with a high hematocrit value or EPO.

It is now clear that the red blood cells can also play a role in the transport of sugar, it said. According to the researchers, the new result can be a key to treat people with diabetes.