Effects of Hemopure™ on Maximal Oxygen Uptake and Endurance Performance in Healthy Humans

Abstract

Haemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) such as Hemopure are touted as a tenable substitute for red blood cells and therefore potential doping agents, although the mechanisms of oxygen transport of HBOCs are incompletely understood. We investigated whether infusion of Hemopure increased maximal oxygen uptake (V.O 2max) and endurance performance in healthy subjects. Twelve male subjects performed two 4-minute submaximal exercise bouts equivalent to 60 % and 75 % of V.O (2max) on a cycle ergometer, followed by a ramped incremental protocol to elicit V.O (2max). A crossover design tested the effect of infusing either 30 g (6 subjects) or 45 g (6 subjects) of Hemopure versus a placebo. Under our study conditions, Hemopure did not increase V.O (2max) nor endurance performance. However, the infusion of Hemopure caused a decrease in heart rate of approximately 10 bpm (p=0.009) and an average increase in mean ( approximately 7 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure ( approximately 8 mmHg) (p=0.046) at submaximal and maximal exercise intensities. Infusion of Hemopure did not bestow the same physiological advantages generally associated with infusion of red blood cells. It is conceivable that under exercise conditions, the hypertensive effects of Hemopure counter the performance-enhancing effect of improved blood oxygen carrying capacity.

Modern cross‐linking strategies for synthesizing acellular hemoglobin‐based oxygen carriers

“…The results of the trial indicated that Hemopure® did not increase maximal O 2 uptake (VO 2max ). Hemopure® also increased the diastolic (∼8 mm Hg) ( P = 0.046) and mean (∼7 mm Hg) blood pressure 73…”

New Applications of HBOC-201: A 25-Year Review of the Literature

“…The metabolism of HBOC-201 in men and women seems to be similar and metabolized by the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) to bilirubin. Ashenden et al reported that after healthy male subjects were infused with HBOC-201, the blood oxygen-carrying capacity was improved (46). HBOC-201 has been shown to be effective in increasing oxygen extraction and delivery to peripheral and central organs and improving tissue oxygenation in studies related to isovolumetric hemodilution (47)(48)(49)(50)(51).…”

ChemInform Abstract: Modern Cross‐Linking Strategies for Synthesizing Acellular Hemoglobin‐Based Oxygen Carriers

“…Hemopure V V R also increased the diastolic ($8 mm Hg) (P ¼ 0.046) and mean ($7 mm Hg) blood pressure. 73 Oxyglobin V V R (HBOC-301) is another glutaraldehyde-polymerized bHb manufactured by Biopure for veterinary use. 74 HBOC-301 was approved by the FDA and is commercially available for use in treating canine anemia.…”