Obstructive sleep apnea and dyslipidemia: implications for atherosclerosis

Area of Science:

• Sleep Medicine
• Metabolic Disorders
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by intermittent hypoxia.
• Dyslipidemia is a common metabolic disorder.
• The relationship between OSA, intermittent hypoxia, and dyslipidemia requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current evidence on the impact of OSA and intermittent hypoxia on dyslipidemia.
• To provide future research perspectives in this field.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating OSA, intermittent hypoxia, and lipid profiles.
• Analysis of molecular mechanisms linking intermittent hypoxia to hyperlipidemia in animal models.
• Evaluation of human studies on OSA and dyslipidemia.

Main Results:

• Intermittent hypoxia induces hyperlipidemia in lean mice, partly via SREBP-1 and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 activation.
• Cholesterol biosynthesis genes (SREBP-2, HMG-CoA reductase) are unaffected by intermittent hypoxia in mice.
• Human studies show conflicting results on OSA's independent association with dyslipidemia; some suggest a link, others do not.
• Continuous positive airway pressure treatment for OSA may positively impact lipid profiles.

Conclusions:

• Increasing evidence suggests intermittent hypoxia is independently associated with dyslipidemia.
• The causal role of OSA in dyslipidemia remains to be definitively established.