Effects of intermittent hypobaric hypoxia on blood lipid concentrations in male coronary heart disease patients

High Alt Med Biol. 2002 Fall;3(3):277-82. doi: 10.1089/152702902320604250.

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (IHH) on plasma lipid concentrations of male coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. Forty-six male coronary patients were enrolled in the study. Thirty had a history of myocardial infarction and 16 had ischemic episodes documented by ergometer testing or Holter monitoring. The patients underwent acclimation to hypoxia by means of a protocol of intermittent exposure in a hypobaric chamber. Lipid profiles, including coefficient of atherogenity (CA) by A.N. Klimov, were assessed at baseline, on completion of the study, and at 3-, 6-, and 10-month follow-ups. Total cholesterol decreased by 7% on completion of the IHH and by 9% at 3 months and persisted on that level to month 6. HDL levels increased by 12% at 3-month follow-up and remained significantly higher than baseline until month 6. LDL levels declined on completion of IHH, but the changes from baseline were most prominent at 3-month (13%) and 6-month (11%) follow-ups. Similar changes were found in levels of VLDL and TG. CA declined by 26% on treatment completion and by 37% at 3-month follow-up and increased to baseline at 10 months. No changes in lipid profiles were found in patients with CA < 3 (n = 22). In subjects with CA > 3 (n = 24), beneficial effects were more pronounced. IHH in CHD patients with abnormal lipid metabolism leads to favorable changes of plasma lipid patterns persisting to month 6 following IHH.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood*
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood*
  • Coronary Disease / diagnosis
  • Coronary Disease / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Hyperbaric Oxygenation / methods*
  • Hypoxia / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Time Factors
  • Triglycerides / blood*

Substances

  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Triglycerides