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.