Levels of vascular endothelial growth factor are elevated in patients with obstructive sleep apnea--hypopnea syndrome.

To better understand how humans adapt to hypoxia, the levels of hemoglobin (Hb), serum erythropoietin (Epo), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured in 106 patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome. The results indicated that temporal hypoxic stimulation increases Hb. Furthermore, a minor increase in Epo and a substantial increase in VEGF were found. The induction in patients with severe sleep apnea was greater than that reported in other types of hypoxia. (Blood. 2001;98:1255-1257)