Sex Differences in Reflex Responses to Intermittent Hypoxia
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Enrollment
- 40
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change from baseline Hypoxic Ventilatory Response after intermittent hypoxia
Study Overview
Brief Summary
The purpose of the present study is to determine whether there are sex differences in the reflex responses to hypoxia in humans.
Detailed Description
Over 35% of the US population will develop sleep apnea at some point in their life. Sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep disordered breathing and patients with sleep apnea are at increased risk of developing high blood pressure. Intermittent, repeated exposures to low oxygen during sleep (intermittent hypoxia, IH) has been implicated as the primary stimulus for increases in sympathetic nervous system activity and blood pressure with sleep apnea. Interestingly there are some reports of a lower incidence of hypertension in women with sleep apnea when compared to men. Results from the present study will provide information important to the investigator's understanding of potential sex-differences in clinical outcomes for conditions related to acute/chronic hypoxia and may have important implications for treatments which may improve blood pressure control in patients with sleep apnea.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Na
- Intervention Model
- Single Group
- Primary Purpose
- Basic Science
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 45 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •healthy adult men and women;
- •BMI <30 kg/m2;
- •non-pregnant;
- •non-breastfeeding;
- •non-smokers;
- •premenopausal women with a normal menstrual cycle unaffected by hormonal contraceptive use;
- •taking no medications known to affect autonomic or cardiovascular function (PI discretion).
Exclusion Criteria
- •taking any medications known to affect the cardiovascular or autonomic nervous system (e.g. alpha-blockers, beta-blockers, etc);
- •a self-reported history of hepatic, renal, pulmonary, cardiovascular, or neurological diseases;
- •stroke or neurovascular disease;
- •bleeding/clotting disorder;
- •sleep apnea or other sleep disorders;
- •diabetes;
- •history of alcoholism or substance abuse;
- •hypertension.
Arms & Interventions
Hypoxic Exposure
Men, and women in early or late follicular phase of menstrual cycle will be exposed to acute and intermittent hypoxic episodes.
Intervention: Hypoxic exposure (Other)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change from baseline Hypoxic Ventilatory Response after intermittent hypoxia
Time Frame: Through completion of intermittent hypoxia, an average of 3 hours
Hypoxia breathing will be recorded before and after intermittent hypoxia
Change from baseline Blood Pressure after intermittent hypoxia
Time Frame: Through completion of intermittent hypoxia, an average of 3 hours
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure will be recorded before and after intermittent hypoxia
Change from baseline Forearm Blood Flow after intermittent hypoxia
Time Frame: Through completion of intermittent hypoxia, an average of 3 hours
Blood flow in the forearm will be recorded before and after intermittent hypoxia
Secondary Outcomes
No secondary outcomes reported
Investigators
Jacqueline K Limberg, PhD
Assistant Professor
University of Missouri-Columbia