Sherpa Testing commences in XE2 Kathmandu Laboratory

The first two days of Sherpa testing have been completed in Kathmandu. The sherpa subjects were medically screened two weeks ago and now return to the laboratory before heading off on the trek to Everest Base Camp next week.

On Monday, 6 subjects were studied as the team got used to their new laboratory. On Tuesday 12 subjects were studied with many unique measurements including the first ever measurement in Sherpas of oxygen consumption in fresh muscle biopsies using the OROBROS device. Many other tests were made for the first time ever including imaging of the microcirculation and other tests of the function of the smallest blood vessels (laser doppler and venous plethysmography), the mass of haemaglobin in the body, exhaled nitric oxide levels and a detailed suite of exercise tests.

The enthusiasm of the sherpas for the studies has been infectious (sherpas are just as competitive on the exercise bike as anyone else). The lab team have been working hard to sort out teething troubles with protocols and kit and our Nepali translators (Dr Rajendra Kumar BC, Pragyen Bajracharya, Palden Choedon, and Mingma Llama Sherpa) have done a superb job explaining often complex science.

Ahead lies 7 more days of testing before the sherpas trek via Namche Bazaar to Everest Base Camp with more testing along the way, and the majority of the lab staff head off for a well earned break prior to lowland trekker testing.