Figure 2.

Schematic presentation of the hypothesized pathways by which intermittent hypoxia leads to hypertension.

Notes: Chronic intermittent hypoxia increases the HIF-1 with a rise of the HIF-1α subunit that activates pro-oxidant enzymes and a decrease of HIF-2α, inducing a fall in antioxidant enzymes. These changes induce a rise of ROS implicated in the activation of peripheral chemoreceptors, the deactivation of baroreceptors, and the activation of adrenal medullary activity, all factors promoting increase of sympathetic activation and hypertension.

Abbreviations: HIF, hypoxia inducible factor; ROS, reactive oxygen species.