Background Repeated exposure to intermittent normobaric hypoxia improves exercise tolerance in cardiac patients. Little is known on the effects of intermittent normobaric hypoxia‐hyperoxia exposure in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients (New York Heart Association II–III). Hypothesis IHHT improves exercise tolerance, cardiometabolic profile, and quality of life in CAD patients. Methods The study design was a nonrandomized, controlled, before‐and‐after trial. Forty‐six CAD patients volunteered to take part in the study: a group of 27 patients undertook the intermittent hypoxia (O2 at 10%)–hyperoxia (O2 at 30%) training (IHHT), whereas a control group (CTRL) of 19 patients, who already completed an 8‐week standard cardiac rehabilitation program, was allocated to sham‐IHHT treatment (breathing room air, O2 at 21%). Exercise performance, blood and metabolic profiles, and quality of life (Seattle Angina Questionnaire [SAQ]) were measured before and after in the IHHT group (IHHG) and sham‐IHHT in the CTRL group. Results The IHHG showed improved exercise capacity, reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressures, enhanced left ventricle ejection fraction, and reduced glycemia, but only at 1‐month follow‐up. Angina as a reason to stop exercising was significantly reduced after treatment and at 1‐month follow‐up. The IHHT SAQ profile was improved in the IHHG and not significantly different to the CTRL group after standard rehabilitation. The IHHG was also compared to the CTRL group at 1‐month follow‐up, and no differences were found. Conclusions In CAD patients, an IHHT program is associated with improved exercise tolerance, healthier risks factors profile, and a better quality of life. Our study also suggests that IHHT is as effective as an 8‐week standard rehabilitation program.

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Overtraining syndrome (OTS) is a major concern among endurance athletes and is a leading cause in preventing them to perform for long periods. Intermittent exposure to hypoxia has been shown to be an effective way of improving performance without exercising. Aim of this pilot study was to evaluate intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia training combined with light exercise as an intervention to facilitate athletes with OTS to restore their usual performance level. Thirty-four track and field athletes were recruited: 15 athletes with OTS volunteered to participate and undertook a conditioning programme consisting of repeated exposures to hypoxia (O at 10%) and hyperoxia (O at 30%) (6-8 cycles, total time 45 min-1 h), three times a week, delivered 1·5-2 h after a low-intensity exercise session (2 bouts of 30 min, running at 50% of VO with 10 min rest between bouts) over 4 weeks. Nineteen healthy track and field athletes volunteered to participate as a control group and followed their usual training schedule. Measurements before and after the intervention included exercise capacity, analysis of heart rate variability and hematological parameters. In athletes with OTS, a 4-week light exercise combined with intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia training improved exercise performance (191·9 ± 26·9 W versus 170·8 ± 44·8 W in exercise capacity test, P = 0·01). Heart rate variability analysis revealed an improved sympatho-parasympathetic index (low frequency/high frequency ratio, 8·01 ± 7·51 before and 1·45 ± 1·71 after, P = 0·007). Hematological parameters were unchanged. Our pilot study showed that intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia training and low-intensity exercise can facilitate functional recovery among athletes with OTS in a relatively short time.

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We compared cytokine profile of rat serum and brain structures after immune status modulation by LPS (30 μg/kg intraperitoneally). The content of inflammatory (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokines in biological samples of animals was measured on days 1 and 7 after antigenic stimulation. LPS administration reduced the levels of both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the peripheral blood of the rats, especially on the 1st day. LPS administration was also accompanied by specific changes in cytokine content in the dorsal hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex. Antigenic stimulation increased the level of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 in the examined brain tissues, the changes were most pronounced on day 1 after LPS injection. No significant changes in the levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the brain tissue of animals were found at the above terms after LPS injection. Thus, peripheral LPS administration to rats shifts the balance between the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the CNS structures towards the latter.