[Effect of short-term gaseous hypoxia (7.4-8.2% O2) on the body of normal subjects and cancer patients].

A clinical investigation of the tolerance of a short-term (15-30 min) normobaric gaseous hypoxia caused by the inhalation of mixtures containing 7.4-8.2% O2 was conducted. Cerebral and liver hemodynamics, function of the cardiovascular system, some biochemical and hematological indicators were studied in 20 healthy volunteers and 18 cancer patients. It was noted that breathing with this mixture was worse tolerated than with that containing 10% O2, however no stable functional changes in the human body were observed. In the authors' opinion, the gaseous mixture containing 8% O2 can be used in radiation therapy of cancer patients for the protection of normal tissues.