Study on malondialdehyde,superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in serum of rats exposed in different degrees of intermittent hypoxia

Objective To investigate the relationship of oxidative stress and intermittent hypoxia of obstructive sleep apnea mode and to provide basis for stodying the mechanism of cardiovascular complications induced by obstructive sleep apnea syndrome through detecting the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA),superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in serum of rats exposed in different degrees of intermittent hypoxia. Methods 160 Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: 5% intermittent hypoxia group,7. 5% intermittent hypoxia group,10% intermittent hypoxia group,10% continuous hypoxia group,and normoxia group. Eight rats from each group were sacrificed at the 2nd,4th,6th,and 8th week. The levels of MDA,SOD and GPx in serum were measured. Results The content of MDA in the intermittent hypoxia groups increased. The content of MDA varied with different degrees of intermittent hypoxia. The change of MDA in 5% intermittent hypoxia group was the most significant. The activities of SOD and GPx decreased in the intermittent hypoxia groups. The changes of MDA,SOD. and GPx were the most significant at the 6th week of intermittent hypoxia treatment. Conclusions Intermittent hypoxia of obstructive sleep apnea mode can induce oxidative stress. The severity of oxidative stress is strongly correlated with the degree of intermittent hypoxia,and the oxidative stress induced by severe intermittent hypoxia is the most significant. Key words: Intermittent hypoxia;  Oxidative stress;  Malondialdehyde;  Superoxide dismutase;  Glutathione peroxidase