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Harding CD, Fuentes AL, Malhotra A. Tackling obstructive sleep apnea with pharmacotherapeutics: expert guidance. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2024; 25:1019-1026. [PMID: 38913403 PMCID: PMC11227253 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2024.2365329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The efficacy of non-pharmacotherapeutic treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, a highly prevalent condition with serious cardiometabolic and neurocognitive health consequences, is well established. Supplementing traditional treatment strategies with medications can improve symptoms and reduce side effects. Efforts to identify medications that target the causes of sleep apnea have met with mixed success. However, this remains a worthwhile objective for researchers to pursue, given the potential benefit pharmacotherapy could bring to those patients who reject or struggle to adhere to existing treatments. AREAS COVERED This article presents the case for obstructive sleep apnea pharmacotherapy including drugs that reduce the occurrence of apnea events, such as weight loss agents, ventilation activators and muscle and nervous system stimulants, drugs that alleviate symptoms, such as wake-promoting agents for excessive daytime sleepiness, and drugs that improve adherence to existing treatments, such as hypnotics. Literature was accessed from PubMed between 1 March 2024 and 18 April 2024. EXPERT OPINION Exciting recent advances in both our understanding of obstructive sleep apnea pathology and in the techniques used to identify therapeutic agents and their targets combine to embolden a positive outlook for the expanded use of drugs in tackling this consequential disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian D. Harding
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ana Lucia Fuentes
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Section, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Atul Malhotra
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA
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Castrogiovanni A, Bonsignore MR. May continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment be detrimental in obstructive sleep apnea? EBioMedicine 2024; 101:105052. [PMID: 38432082 PMCID: PMC10914546 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria R Bonsignore
- Sleep Disorder Clinic, Pulmonology Unit, Villa Sofia-Cervello Hospitals, Palermo, Italy; PROMISE Department, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
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O'Donnell C, Crilly S, O'Mahony A, O'Riordan B, Traynor M, Gitau R, McDonald K, Ledwidge M, O'Shea D, Murphy DJ, Dodd JD, Ryan S. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure but Not GLP1-mediated Weight Loss Improves Early Cardiovascular Disease in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Randomized Proof-of-Concept Study. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2024; 21:464-473. [PMID: 38096106 DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.202309-821oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality, but the benefit of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is uncertain. However, most randomized controlled trials have focused on the role of CPAP in secondary prevention, although there is growing evidence of a potential benefit on early CV disease. Weight loss in combination with CPAP may be superior but is difficult to achieve and maintain with conventional measures alone. Objectives: The aim of this study was to gain insights into the effect of CPAP on early atherosclerotic processes and to compare it with a glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1-mediated weight loss regimen in patients with OSA. Methods: We performed a randomized proof-of-concept study comparing CPAP, a GLP1-mediated weight-loss regimen (liraglutide [Lir]), and both in combination for 24 weeks in 30 consecutive patients with OSA (apnea-hypopnea index >15 events/h; body mass index 30-40 kg/m2; and no history of diabetes, heart failure, or unstable CV disease). In addition to extensive evaluation for CV risk factors and endothelial function at baseline and end of study, subjects underwent 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-FDG PET-CT) for the measurement of aortic wall inflammation (target-to-background ratio) and coronary computed tomography angiography for semiautomated coronary plaque analysis. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. CPAP alone and in combination resulted in greater reduction in apnea-hypopnea index than Lir alone (mean difference, -45 and -43 events/h, respectively, vs. -12 events/h; P < 0.05). Both Lir and combination treatment led to significant weight loss, but only CPAP alone resulted in significant decrease in vascular inflammation (aortic wall target-to-background ratio from 2.03 ± 0.34 to 1.84 ± 0.43; P = 0.010), associated with an improvement in endothelial function and a decrease in C-reactive protein. Low-attenuation coronary artery plaque volume as a marker of unstable plaque also decreased with CPAP (from 571 ± 490 to 334 ± 185 mm3) and with combination therapy (from 401 ± 145 to 278 ± 126 mm3) but not with Lir. Conclusions: These data suggest that CPAP therapy, but not GLP1-mediated weight loss, improves vascular inflammation and reduces unstable plaque volume in patients with OSA. Further large randomized controlled studies are warranted to assess the benefit of CPAP therapy in modifying early CV disease. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04186494).
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Affiliation(s)
- Cliona O'Donnell
- Pulmonary and Sleep Disorders Unit
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | | | | | - Rachael Gitau
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kenneth McDonald
- Department of Cardiology, and
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mark Ledwidge
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Donal O'Shea
- Department of Endocrinology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; and
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David J Murphy
- Department of Radiology
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jonathan D Dodd
- Department of Radiology
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Silke Ryan
- Pulmonary and Sleep Disorders Unit
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Peker Y, Celik Y, Behboudi A, Redline S, Lyu J, Wei Y, Gottlieb DJ, Jelic S. CPAP may promote an endothelial inflammatory milieu in sleep apnoea after coronary revascularization. EBioMedicine 2024; 101:105015. [PMID: 38403558 PMCID: PMC10944158 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has failed to reduce cardiovascular risk in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in randomized trials. CPAP increases angiopoietin-2, a lung distension-responsive endothelial proinflammatory marker associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We investigated whether CPAP has unanticipated proinflammatory effects in patients with OSA and cardiovascular disease. METHODS Patients with OSA (apnoea-hypopnea index [AHI] ≥15 events/h without excessive sleepiness) in the Randomized Intervention with CPAP in Coronary Artery Disease and OSA study were randomized to CPAP or usual care following coronary revascularization. Changes in plasma levels of biomarkers of endothelial (angiopoietin-2, Tie-2, E-selectin, vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF-A]) and lung epithelial (soluble receptor of advanced glycation end-products [sRAGE]) function from baseline to 12-month follow-up were compared across groups and associations with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality assessed. FINDINGS Patients with OSA (n = 189; 84% men; age 66 ± 8 years, BMI 28 ± 3.5 kg/m2, AHI 41 ± 23 events/h) and 91 patients without OSA participated. Angiopoietin-2 remained elevated whereas VEGF-A declined significantly over 12 months in the CPAP group (n = 91). In contrast, angiopoietin-2 significantly declined whereas VEGF-A remained elevated in the usual care (n = 98) and OSA-free groups. The changes in angiopoietin-2 and VEGF-A were significantly different between CPAP and usual care, whereas Tie-2, sRAGE and E-selectin were similar. Greater 12-month levels of angiopoietin-2 were associated with greater mortality. Greater CPAP levels were associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes. INTERPRETATION Greater CPAP levels increase proinflammatory, lung distension-responsive angiopoietin-2 and reduce cardioprotective angiogenic factor VEGF-A compared to usual care, which may counteract the expected cardiovascular benefits of treating OSA. FUNDING National Institutes of Health/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Swedish Research Council; Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation; ResMed Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuksel Peker
- Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey; University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Yeliz Celik
- Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey; Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Jing Lyu
- Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ying Wei
- Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel J Gottlieb
- Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Sanja Jelic
- Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
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Song R, Baker TL, Watters JJ, Kumar S. Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Associated Intermittent Hypoxia-Induced Immune Responses in Males, Pregnancies, and Offspring. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1852. [PMID: 38339130 PMCID: PMC10856042 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a respiratory sleep disorder associated with cardiovascular diseases, is more prevalent in men. However, OSA occurrence in pregnant women rises to a level comparable to men during late gestation, creating persistent effects on both maternal and offspring health. The exact mechanisms behind OSA-induced cardiovascular diseases remain unclear, but inflammation and oxidative stress play a key role. Animal models using intermittent hypoxia (IH), a hallmark of OSA, reveal several pro-inflammatory signaling pathways at play in males, such as TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB/MAPK, miRNA/NLRP3, and COX signaling, along with shifts in immune cell populations and function. Limited evidence suggests similarities in pregnancies and offspring. In addition, suppressing these inflammatory molecules ameliorates IH-induced inflammation and tissue injury, providing new potential targets to treat OSA-associated cardiovascular diseases. This review will focus on the inflammatory mechanisms linking IH to cardiovascular dysfunction in males, pregnancies, and their offspring. The goal is to inspire further investigations into the understudied populations of pregnant females and their offspring, which ultimately uncover underlying mechanisms and therapeutic interventions for OSA-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruolin Song
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (R.S.); (T.L.B.); (J.J.W.)
| | - Tracy L. Baker
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (R.S.); (T.L.B.); (J.J.W.)
| | - Jyoti J. Watters
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (R.S.); (T.L.B.); (J.J.W.)
| | - Sathish Kumar
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (R.S.); (T.L.B.); (J.J.W.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53792, USA
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Gottlieb DJ. CPAP therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea: are the right questions being asked? Eur Respir J 2023; 62:2300575. [PMID: 37474149 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00575-2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Gottlieb
- Medical Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Departments of Medicine and Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Redline S, Gottlieb DJ. Inflammation and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy: More Evidence of the Need for Better Sleep Apnea Phenotyping. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2023; 20:955-957. [PMID: 37387625 DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.202304-324ed] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Susan Redline
- Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Departments of Medicine and Neurology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Daniel J Gottlieb
- Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Departments of Medicine and Neurology, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts
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