Continuous positive airway pressure may improve hypertension in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress

Introduction: The work was designed to investigate the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on hypertension in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Methods: We examined the effect of CPAP on blood pressure and biomarkers reflecting inflammation and oxidative stress, and investigated the correlation between changes in blood pressure and the biomarkers. Results: CPAP significantly improved clinic, ambulatory and home blood pressure (p < 0.05). The hypotensive effect of CPAP was positively correlated with the decrease of interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, NADPH oxidase and malonaldehyde. Conclusions: CPAP has a significant antihypertensive effect on OSAHS patients, especially nocturnal hypertension, possibly by counteracting inflammation and oxidative stress.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on hypertension in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and to understand the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that CPAP significantly improved clinic, ambulatory, and home blood pressure, and this improvement was correlated with a decrease in biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. In conclusion, CPAP has a significant antihypertensive effect on OSAHS patients, especially nocturnal hypertension, possibly by counteracting inflammation and oxidative stress.