2,3-BPG and high altitude

[Ven0m]

Hello everyone, I was wondering if 2,3-BPG is increased after acclimatization to high altitude. Goljan said 2,3-BPG is increased during respiratory alkalosis because decreased pH increases the activity of PFK-1, thus increased glycolysis (including 1,3-BPG production), and some of that is converted to 2,3-BPG, therefore 2,3-BPG is increased.
This situation makes sense for people who are new to high altitude; on the other hand, people who have acclimatized to high altitudes do not have any respiratory alkalosis because their kidneys are excreting more HCO3-. So does this mean acclimatized people won't have increased 2,3-BPG? And if they do have increased 2,3-BPG, is there a mechanism?

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[wanderingorion]

I think the purpose of the increased 2,3-BPG at higher altitudes is it's effect on hemoglobin oxygen affinity. It encourages oxygen release in the tissues (stabilizing the T state), as an adaptation for lower PO2 at higher altitude.

 

[Ven0m]

I think the purpose of the increased 2,3-BPG at higher altitudes is it's effect on hemoglobin oxygen affinity. It encourages oxygen release in the tissues (stabilizing the T state), as an adaptation for lower PO2 at higher altitude.

Got it, but I'm still wondering what the mechanism of how 2,3-BPG is increased 😵