Abnormal Growth and Feeding Behavior Persist After Removal of Upper Airway Obstruction in Juvenile Rats

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Pediatric Sleep Medicine
• Animal Models

Background:

• Pediatric obstructive sleep-disordered breathing is linked to growth retardation and persistent obesity.
• The long-term effects of upper airway obstruction and its surgical correction on hormonal regulation in juvenile animals are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of upper airway obstruction (AO) and its removal (OR) on gut-derived ghrelin, hypothalamic feeding factors, feeding behavior, and growth hormone (GH) homeostasis in juvenile rats.
• To determine if surgical correction fully restores hormonal axes controlling feeding and growth.

Main Methods:

• Juvenile rats were subjected to upper airway obstruction (AO) or obstruction removal (OR) for seven weeks.
• Measurements included weight gain, food intake, ghrelin levels, hypothalamic feeding factors, and growth hormone (GH) homeostasis.

Main Results:

• AO rats showed reduced weight gain despite increased food intake due to elevated ghrelin and hypothalamic feeding factors.
• OR rats exhibited increased food intake and growth retardation, indicating deregulation of GH homeostasis.
• This study is the first to demonstrate incomplete restoration of hormonal axes controlling feeding and growth following OR.

Conclusions:

• Upper airway obstruction in juvenile rats disrupts hormonal axes regulating feeding and growth.
• Surgical correction of airway obstruction does not fully restore these hormonal axes, leading to persistent post-surgical increased food intake and growth retardation.
• Surgical treatment alone may be insufficient to prevent long-term metabolic and growth disturbances associated with pediatric obstructive sleep-disordered breathing.