Premium
Losartan abolishes oxidative stress induced by intermittent hypoxia in humans
Author(s) -
Pialoux Vincent,
Foster Glen E.,
Ahmed Sofia B.,
Beaudin Andrew E.,
Hanly Patrick J.,
Poulin Marc J.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.218156
Subject(s) - losartan , oxidative stress , peroxynitrite , chemistry , endocrinology , angiotensin ii , intermittent hypoxia , medicine , reactive oxygen species , pharmacology , receptor , biochemistry , superoxide , obstructive sleep apnea , enzyme
Non‐Technical Summary Intermittent hypoxia is known to increase oxidative stress and decrease nitric oxide metabolism. These two responses, which are involved in hypoxia‐induced hypertension, may be mediated by angiotensin II. Using a novel human experimental model, we show that blockade of the type 1 angiotensin II receptors by a medication called losartan prevented the increase in oxidative stress and the decrease in nitric oxide metabolism induced by 6 h of intermittent hypoxia. These results show that the upregulation of angiotensin II contributes to the overproduction of free radicals associated with intermittent hypoxia and help us better understand why blood pressure increases in medical disorders associated with intermittent hypoxia, such as obstructive sleep apnoea.