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Beneficial Effects of Intermittent Normobaric Hypoxic Training on Respiratory Function in Patients with Chronic Pulmonary Diseases

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Intermittent Hypoxia and Human Diseases

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Abstract

In this chapter, we present the results of our studies regarding the INHT effects on respiratory functions in 103 high-risk chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, 157 bronchial asthma (BA) patients, and 36 healthy individuals. Patients ranged in age from 21 to 59 years (women – 52.1%, men – 47.9%). INHT was carried out in “Orotron” chamber under such environmental parameters: PO2 – 147–160 hPa, relative humidity – 60–70%, ambient temperature – 16–18°C, and content of light negative ions – up to 6,000/cm3. All patients received daily 90 min of INHT alone or INHT in combination with conventional therapy for 2–4 weeks. Total time of hypoxic gas mixture breathing for the whole INHT course ranged from 21 to 42 h. We performed pulmonary function tests in all patients before, during, and after INHT. Results of our studies indicated that INHT increased reserves of lung ventilation and restored the physiological level of alveolar ventilation in 78% of patients with COPD, optimized regional air distribution in lung, and decreased by 25–30% the lung ventilation unevenness. INHT reduced the bronchial resistivity by 31–37% in BA patients and changed the respiratory regulation in COPD patients and healthy individuals. It contributed to more complete restoration of the optimal structure of respiratory pattern. Further investigations will allow INHT to emerge as an important nonpharmacological therapy for care and rehabilitation of patients with pulmonary diseases.

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Abbreviations

BA:

Bronchial asthma

CIA:

Central inspiratory activity

COPD:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases

f :

Respiratory rate

ERV:

Expiratory reserve volume

FEV1 :

Volume at the end of the first second of forced expiration

FEFmax :

Maximum instantaneous flow achieved during FVC maneuver

FEF25% :

Average flow from the point were 25% of the FVC has been exhaled

FEF50% :

Average flow from the point were 50% of the FVC has been exhaled

FEF75% :

Average flow from the point were 75% of the FVC has been exhaled

FRC:

Functional residual capacity

FVC:

Forced vital capacity

Gaw :

Airway conductance

INHT:

Intermittent normobaric hypoxic training

IRV:

Inspiratory reserve volume

MVV:

Maximal voluntary ventilation

MVV/V E :

Ratio of respiratory reserve

PO2 :

Partial pressure of oxygen

PImax :

Maximal inspiratory pressure

Raw :

Airway resistance

t I :

Inspiratory time of one respiratory cycle

t E :

Expiratory time of one respiratory cycle

t tot :

Total duration of respiratory cycle

t I/t tot :

Proportion of inspiration phase in total duration of respiratory cycle or “useful cycle” of breathing

t E/t I :

Time respiratory quotient

V A :

Alveolar ventilation/min

VC:

Vital capacity

V E :

Expired volume/min

V T :

Tidal volume

V I/t I :

Mean rate of inspiratory flow of one breath

V E/t E :

Mean rate of expiratory flow of one breath

V I max/t I :

Maximum rate of inspiratory flow of one breath

V E max/t E :

Maximum rate of expiratory flow of one breath

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, A.A. Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, Kiev, Ukraine

    Mikhail I. Levashov

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  1. Mikhail I. Levashov
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Correspondence to Mikhail I. Levashov .

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  1. , Division of Cardiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, 23298, Virginia, USA

    Lei Xi

  2. Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, Kiev, 01601, Ukraine

    Tatiana V. Serebrovskaya

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Levashov, M.I. (2012). Beneficial Effects of Intermittent Normobaric Hypoxic Training on Respiratory Function in Patients with Chronic Pulmonary Diseases. In: Xi, L., Serebrovskaya, T. (eds) Intermittent Hypoxia and Human Diseases. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2906-6_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2906-6_9

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