Epigenetics dysfunction in morbid obesity with or without obstructive sleep apnoea: the EPIMOOSA study.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Sleep Medicine
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and morbid obesity (MO) are linked conditions.
• Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in the pathophysiology of both OSA and MO.
• Previous research has studied miRNA expression in OSA and MO separately, not jointly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate circulating miRNA changes in morbidly obese patients with or without obstructive sleep apnoea.
• To explore the influence of OSA on morbid obesity.
• To determine how treatments like bariatric surgery and CPAP impact miRNA expression in these patients.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, non-interventional cohort study (EPIMOOSA) of 45 morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery.
• Categorization into three groups: MO without OSA, MO with OSA without CPAP, and MO with OSA and CPAP.
• Follow-up at baseline, pre-surgery, and 3, 6, and 12 months post-surgery, including home sleep polygraphy, questionnaires, anthropometry, blood sampling for miRNA analysis, and cardiovascular monitoring.

Main Results:

• This study is the first to evaluate changes in circulating miRNA in morbidly obese patients with or without OSA.
• It aims to elucidate the specific influence of OSA on morbid obesity.
• It will also clarify how OSA and its treatments affect miRNA expression.

Conclusions:

• The EPIMOOSA study will provide novel insights into the role of circulating miRNAs in the complex interplay between morbid obesity and obstructive sleep apnoea.
• Findings will illuminate how treatments modify these epigenetic markers.
• This research has the potential to identify new biomarkers and therapeutic targets.