Published Paper Details:

Hypoxia, characterized by insufficient supply of oxygen that triggers cascade of physiological responses from the individual level down to the regulation and function of the cell nucleus. Prolonged periods of low oxygen tension are a core feature of several disease states, with traditional treatment options limited to supportive measures and oxygen therapy. However,the emergence of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors presents a promising breakthrough in managing certain hypoxic conditions. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors exhibit the capacity to modulate acid-base balanceaddressing metabolic alkalosis, and enhancing ventilation, thereby influencing respiratory responses. Although carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are not first line of treatment for hypoxia, recent literature shows the promising impact of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors in hypoxic conditions such as hypobaric hypoxia, hypoxic tumors, cerebral hypoxia, and coronary obstructive pulmonary disease.These findings suggest a shift from conventional approaches to a targeted pharmacological strategy for treatment and prophylaxis of such hypoxic conditions.In this review, we will highlight the latest insights into how low oxygen levels affect the body at a molecular level in common and significant diseases such as being at high altitudes (hypobaric hypoxia), tumors with insufficient oxygen (hypoxic tumors), low oxygen in the brain (cerebral hypoxia), and reduced oxygen levels in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Furthermore, we will explore how well carbonic anhydrase inhibitors work in addressing and managing these conditions.