Research progress of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and obstructive sleep apnea associated hypertension

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a respiratory disorder that closely associated with refractory hypertension. OSA can lead to increase of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), and intermittent hypoxia (IH) can lead to imbalance of HIF-α subtypes, which is related with OSA associated hypertension. In this review, the mechanism of increase in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to HIF-α subtypes imbalance caused by IH was explored, which can affect the regulation of blood pressure by activating chemoreflex, weakening baroreflex and causing endothelial dysfunction, and propose the prospect of HIF-1α related inhibitory drugs for the treatment of OSA-related hypertension.