[The effect of altitude on insulin binding by erythrocytes in experimental alloxan diabetes].

Alterations in content of glucose, insulin and glucagon in blood as well as binding of insulin with specific erythrocyte receptors were studied in 120 rats with alloxan diabetes and in intact animals. Content of insulin and glucagon was decreased in rat blood within 14 days of maintaining at high altitude, whereas glycemia developed only slightly. Binding of insulin with erythrocytes was increased more distinctly in control rats, which exhibited low index of this function at low altitude. Importance of this mechanism in activation of cellular glycolysis, an increase of 2,3-diphosphate glucose level in erythrocytes as a compensatory response to high altitude hypoxia are discussed.