Mathematical model of respiratory regulation during hypoxia and hypercapnia

Abstract

Transport of respiratory gases by respiratory and circulatory systems is one of the most important processes associated with living conditions of the human body. Significant and/or long-term deviations of oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations from the normal values in blood can be a reason of significant pathological changes with irreversible consequences: lack of oxygen (hypoxia and ischemic events), the change in the acid-base balance of blood (acidosis or alkalosis), and others. In the context of a changing external environment and internal conditions of the body the action of its regulatory systems aimed at maintaining homeostasis. One of the major mechanisms for maintaining concentrations (partial pressures) of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood at a normal level is the regulation of minute ventilation, respiratory rate and depth of respiration, which is caused by the activity of the central and peripheral regulators. In this paper we propose a mathematical model of the regulation of pulmonary ventilation parameter. The model is used to calculate the minute ventilation adaptation during hypoxia and hypercapnia. The model is developed using a single-component model of the lungs, and biochemical equilibrium conditions of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood and the alveolar lung volume. A comparison with laboratory data is performed during hypoxia and hypercapnia. Analysis of the results shows that the model reproduces the dynamics of minute ventilation during hypercapnia with sufficient accuracy. Another result is that more accurate model of regulation of minute ventilation during hypoxia should be developed. The factors preventing from satisfactory accuracy are analysed in the final section. Respiratory function is one of the main limiting factors of the organism during intense physical activities. Thus, it is important characteristic of high performance sport and extreme physical activity conditions. Therefore, the results of this study have significant application value in the field of mathematical modeling in sport. The considered conditions of hypoxia and hypercapnia are partly reproduce training at high altitude and at hypoxia conditions. The purpose of these conditions is to increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood of highly qualified athletes. These conditions are the only admitted by sport committees.