Biological plausibility linking sleep apnoea and metabolic dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) affects 10-25% of the population and is an emerging cardiometabolic risk factor.
• OSA is associated with dyslipidaemia, atherogenesis, liver dysfunction, and abnormal glucose metabolism.
• Current OSA treatments like adenotonsillectomy and CPAP therapy do not always resolve metabolic dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review potential mechanistic pathways linking OSA hallmarks to metabolic dysfunction.
• To highlight the role of adipose tissue dysfunction in OSA-related metabolic issues.
• To identify knowledge gaps and future research directions in OSA and metabolic health.

Main Methods:

• Review of evidence from animal models of OSA.
• Analysis of studies involving patients diagnosed with OSA.
• Focus on intermittent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation as key OSA features.

Main Results:

• OSA-induced metabolic perturbations are linked to intermittent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation.
• Adipose tissue dysfunction is a significant consequence of OSA, mirroring obesity-related changes.
• Current therapeutic approaches for OSA may not fully address the associated metabolic sequelae.

Conclusions:

• A deeper understanding of OSA's mechanisms is crucial for improving metabolic outcomes.
• Targeting OSA-induced adipose tissue dysfunction could offer novel therapeutic strategies.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the complex interplay between sleep apnoea and metabolic health.