Circulating Nitric Oxide Is Suppressed in Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Is Reversed by Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

摘要

Epidemiological studies have implicated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as an independent comorbid factor in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The recurrent episodes of occlusion of upper airways during sleep result in pathophysiological changes that may predispose to vascular diseases, and we postulate that nitric oxide may be one of the mediators involved.