Glucose homoeostasis in rats exposed to acute intermittent hypoxia

Aim Chronic exposure to intermittent hypoxia commonly induces the activation of sympathetic tonus and the disruption of glucose homoeostasis. However, the effects of exposure to acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) on glucose homoeostasis are not yet fully elucidated. Herein, we evaluated parameters related to glucose metabolism in rats exposed to AIH. Methods Male adult rats were submitted to 10 episodes of hypoxia (6% O2, for 45 s) interspersed with 5‐min intervals of normoxia (21%), while the control (CTL) group was kept in normoxia. Results Acute intermittent hypoxia rats presented higher fasting glycaemia, normal insulinaemia, increased lactataemia and similar serum lipid levels, compared to controls (n = 10, P