Chronic intermittent hypoxia worsens bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in rats

In Blm-treated animals, 30 days of CIH compared to Norm increased total lung collagen content (p = 0.008) and reduced Quasi-static lung compliance (p = 0.04). CIH upregulated lipid peroxidation and increased NF-κB activation, IL-17 mRNA and Col1α1 mRNA expression. Our results indicate that following Blm-induced lung injury, CIH amplifies collagen deposition via oxidative and inflammatory pathways, culminating in stiffer lungs. Thus, OSA may augment fibrosis in patients with interstitial lung disease.