Blood parameters of Tibetans alter with altitude: CCMB study

CCMB examines changes in physiological factors of Tibetans in low-altitude regions

Tibetans are one of the oldest high-altitude inhabitants in the world. There are known genetic and physiological factors that help them endure low-oxygen conditions. However, their population has now moved to low-altitude regions such as Karnataka. When Dr K. Thangaraj (now DBT- Director of Centre for DNA Finger Printing & Diagnostics - CDFD) and his team at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, studied changes in physiological factors of Tibetans now inhabiting the low-altitude regions like Karnataka, and found that the blood parameters in Tibetans are significantly different compared to their high-altitude counterparts. “We found that the red blood cells, haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit are significantly lower in the low-altitude Tibetans. Their haemoglobin levels are much closer to those living on the plains than the other Tibetans living beyond 4500 metres,” said Nipa Basak, first author.