Effects of Exposure to Intermittent Hypoxia on Oxidative Stress and Acute Hypoxic Ventilatory Response in Humans

Abstract

Chronic intermittent hypoxia increases oxidative stress by increasing production of reactive oxygen species without a compensatory increase in antioxidant activity. This human study shows that reactive oxygen species overproduction modulates increased AHVR. These mechanisms may be responsible for increased AHVR in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.