Intermittent hypoxia activates the autonomous nervous system as well as the RAAS and increases ROS production, leading to blood pressure elevation, atherosclerosis and arterial stiffening.232 OSAS patients also have increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), TNF-α, ICAM-1, IL-6 and IL-8, suggesting an inflammatory state. This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and atherosclerosis.