Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy and applicability of the “intermittent hypoxic-hyperoxic exposures at rest” (IHHE) protocol as an adjuvant method for metabolic syndrome (MS) cardiometabolic components. A prospective, single-center, randomized controlled clinical study was conducted on 65 patients with MS subject to optimal pharmacotherapy, who were randomly allocated to IHHE or control (CON) groups. The IHHE group completed a 3-week, 5 days/week program of IHHE, each treatment session lasting for 45 min. The CON group followed the same protocol, but was breathing room air through a facial mask instead. The data were collected 2 days before, and at day 2 after the 3-week intervention. As the primary endpoints, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure at rest, as well as arterial stiffness and hepatic tissue elasticity parameters, were selected. After the trial, the IHHE group had a significant decrease in SBP and DBP (Cohen’s d = 1.15 and 0.7, p < 0.001), which became significantly lower (p < 0.001) than in CON. We have failed to detect any pre-post IHHE changes in the arterial stiffness parameters (judging by the Cohen’s d), but after the intervention, cardio-ankle vascular indexes (RCAVI and LCAVI) were significantly lowered in the IHHE group as compared with the CON. The IHHE group demonstrated a medium effect (0.68; 0.69 and 0.71 Cohen’s d) in pre-post decrease of Total Cholesterol (p = 0.04), LDL (p = 0.03), and Liver Steatosis (p = 0.025). In addition, the IHHE group patients demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in pre-post differences (deltas) of RCAVI, LCAVI, all antropometric indices, NTproBNP, Liver Fibrosis, and Steatosis indices, TC, LDL, ALT, and AST in comparison with CON (p = 0.001). The pre-post shifts in SBP, DBP, and HR were significantly correlated with the reduction degree in arterial stiffness (ΔRCAVI, ΔLCAVI), liver fibrosis and steatosis severity (ΔLFibr, ΔLS), anthropometric parameters, liver enzymes, and lipid metabolism in the IHHE group only. Our results suggested that IHHE is a safe, well-tolerated intervention which could be an effective adjuvant therapy in treatment and secondary prevention of atherosclerosis, obesity, and other components of MS that improve the arterial stiffness lipid profile and liver functional state in MS patients.
Highlights
It is well known that Metabolic Syndrome (MS), being a cluster of interrelated pathological conditions such as obesity, hypertension, and lipid profile, and carbohydrate metabolism disorders, is a major risk factor for vascular atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2T), and serious cardiovascular complications [1].According to the World Health Organization, as of 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults (39%)aged ≥18 are overweight, of whom more than 650 million (13%) are obese, and these numbers are annually increasing [2]
We found that using hypoxic conditioning at rest in the intermittent hypoxic-hyperoxic mode was beneficial for correction of cardiovascular and metabolic profile in patients with Metabolic Syndrome
The patients who undertook 15 intermittent hypoxic-hyperoxic exposure treatments had a significant reduction of resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure without any serious side effects or complaints
Summary
It is well known that Metabolic Syndrome (MS), being a cluster of interrelated pathological conditions such as obesity, hypertension, and lipid profile, and carbohydrate metabolism disorders, is a major risk factor for vascular atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2T), and serious (critical) cardiovascular complications (heart attack, stroke) [1].According to the World Health Organization, as of 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults (39%)aged ≥18 are overweight, of whom more than 650 million (13%) are obese, and these numbers are annually increasing [2]. It is well known that Metabolic Syndrome (MS), being a cluster of interrelated pathological conditions such as obesity, hypertension, and lipid profile, and carbohydrate metabolism disorders, is a major risk factor for vascular atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2T), and serious (critical) cardiovascular complications (heart attack, stroke) [1]. Atherosclerosis, as the leading cardiovascular pathology development factor, is a complex pathological process that involves lipid metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction, as well as chronic inflammation [4]. One of the most important, slowly progressing conditions associated with both MS and aggravation of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism disorders and DM2T development is the initiation and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) [5–8]. Inflammation, oxidative stress and impaired carbohydrate metabolism underline NAFLD pathogenesis
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
