Effect of Oxygen Desaturation from Carbon Monoxide Inhalation on Erythrocytic 2,3-DPG

Abstract

Erythrocytic 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG), in response to carbon monoxide (CO) hypoxemia, was studied in 12 rabbits exposed to 250 ppm CO for 3 hours. Each animal served as its own control. Individual determinations of carboxyhemoglobin, arterial oxygen content, oxygen saturation, and 2,3-DPG were made before and immediately after exposures to both CO and normal air. After CO inhalation, there was no significant change in 2,3-DPG despite an average reduction of 22% in arterial oxygen saturation. Moreover, there was no significant correlation between individual oxygen desaturations and changes in 2,3-DPG. The data imply that the 2,3-DPG mechanism offers little or no compensation for this form of hypoxia.