Sports Science and Medicine:
diphosphoglycerate
2,3-DPG
An organic phosphate bound to haemoglobin in red blood cells. 2, 3-DPG is a by-product of the breakdown of glycogen to glucose. It reduces the affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen, shifting the oxygen dissociation curve to the right and thereby assisting the unloading of oxygen to respiring tissues. Regular aerobic training increases 2, 3-DPG concentration in red blood cells. See also altitude acclimatization.
