A novel system including an N2 gas generator and an air compressor for inducing intermittent or chronic hypoxia

International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Physiology

  • Hisashi Nagai1Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, JAPAN.
  • Hirotsugu Tsuchimochi2Department of Cardiac Physiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, JAPAN.
  • Ken-ichi Yoshida3Department of Forensic Medicine, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, JAPAN.
  • Mikiyasu Shirai2Department of Cardiac Physiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, JAPAN.
  • Ichiro Kuwahira4Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tokai University Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, JAPAN.

Volume 1 Issue 4 Pages 307-310

DOI: 10.4103/2348-8093.149770

Abstract

Background and Aim: Animals that have been exposed to intermittent or chronic hypoxia (CH) for long periods are often used for basic research into various pulmonary and cardiac conditions. In standard hypoxia-inducing systems, gas cylinders are used to supply the hypoxic gas. Thus, it is necessary to exchange the cylinders very often. Methods: To resolve this difficulty, we have developed a system including an N2 gas generator and an air compressor that is capable of inducing intermittent or CH. Results: The hypoxic system we have developed has the following three advantages: (1) It enables persistent exposure to stable levels of intermittent or CH, (2) both the level and duration of hypoxia can be controlled, and (3) it has low initial and running costs. Conclusion: This novel system makes it easy to induce stable hypoxic conditions in the laboratory and has low initial and running costs.

Keywords

  • Chronic hypoxia
  • hypoxia-inducing systems
  • intermittent hypoxia
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Physiology

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