Splenic contraction-induced reversible increase in hemoglobin concentration in intermittent hypoxia

The effect of intermittent hypoxia (IHx) on blood hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) and the underlying mechanisms were studied in rats exposed to 10% O2, 1 h/day, for up to 5 wk. IHx protocols with longer daily hypoxic exposure show persistent polycythemia; however, it is unknown whether [Hb] increases transiently during hypoxia in protocols without polycythemia. Hypoxia produced a reversible [Hb] increase after 4 days of IHx but not in normoxic controls (NxC) or after shorter period of IHx. Splenectomy abolished the phenomenon. Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine levels during hypoxia were comparable in IHx and NxC groups, but the epinephrine-induced [Hb] increase was larger in IHx. The α1- and α2-adrenoreceptor blockade (phentolamine) and α2-blockade (yohimbine) abolished the [Hb] increase of IHx rats. Conversely, α2-receptor stimulation (oxymetazoline) increased [Hb] during normoxia in IHx but not in NxC. In conclusion, this IHx protocol results in reversible [Hb] increases during hypoxia via splenic contraction mediated by increased α2-adrenoreceptor response. This may protect O2 supply during hypoxia without the cardiovascular burden of polycythemia during normoxia.