Xanthine Oxidase Inhibition Attenuates Endothelial Dysfunction Caused by Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia in Rats

Abstract

These data confirm previous findings that exposure to intermittent hypoxia impairs endothelium-dependent vasodilation in skeletal muscle resistance arteries and extend them by demonstrating that this impairment can be prevented with allopurinol. Thus, xanthine oxidase appears to play a key role in mediating intermittent hypoxia-induced vascular dysfunction.