By Micah Jonah, February 21, 2026
Scientists have identified a biological link between low oxygen environments and reduced blood sugar levels, a discovery that could open new pathways for diabetes treatment.
Researchers reported in the journal Cell Metabolism that red blood cells exposed to low-oxygen conditions such as those found at high altitudes can absorb more glucose from the bloodstream, effectively acting as “glucose sponges.”
Diabetes is known to be less common among populations living at high elevations compared with those at sea level. The new findings help explain why. Under reduced oxygen conditions, red blood cells shift their metabolism, allowing them to take in greater amounts of glucose. This does not only provide the cells with additional energy to transport oxygen efficiently, but also lowers overall blood sugar levels.
In laboratory experiments, mice breathing low-oxygen air showed significantly lower blood glucose levels after eating. According to study author Yolanda Martí-Mateos of the Gladstone Institutes, sugar administered to these mice disappeared from their bloodstream almost immediately. Further investigation revealed that red blood cells were primarily responsible for this rapid glucose uptake.
The researchers also developed an experimental drug called HypoxyStat, designed to mimic the effects of low oxygen by altering how hemoglobin binds oxygen. In diabetic mice, the drug reversed high blood sugar levels and performed more effectively than some existing treatments, according to the report.
Study co-author, Isha Jain, also of the Gladstone Institutes, said the findings suggest a new therapeutic approach that targets red blood cells to manage glucose levels, offering a fundamentally different strategy for diabetes care.
Separate findings reported in the journal Neuron highlighted another medical insight related to physical endurance. Researchers found that improvements in stamina from exercise depend not only on muscle activity but also on specific brain neurons.
The study, led by Erik Bloss of The Jackson Laboratory, showed that activating certain hypothalamic neurons after exercise enhanced endurance in mice. When these neurons were suppressed, endurance gains declined significantly.
Scientists say the research may eventually contribute to therapies that enhance the benefits of moderate exercise, particularly for older adults or individuals with mobility challenges who are unable to engage in intensive physical activity.
