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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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Panahi L, Udeani G, Ho S, Knox B, Maille J. Review of the Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Pharmacological Symptom Management. Medicina (B Aires) 2021; 57:medicina57111173. [PMID: 34833390 PMCID: PMC8620994 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57111173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nearly a billion adults around the world are affected by a disease that is characterized by upper airway collapse while sleeping called obstructive sleep apnea or OSA. The progression and lasting effects of untreated OSA include an increased risk of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, stroke, and heart failure. There is often a decrease in quality-of-life scores and an increased rate of mortality in these patients. The most common and effective treatments for OSA include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), surgical treatment, behavior modification, changes in lifestyle, and mandibular advancement devices. There are currently no pharmacological options approved for the standard treatment of OSA. There are, however, some pharmacological treatments for daytime sleepiness caused by OSA. Identifying and treating obstructive sleep apnea early is important to reduce the risks of future complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ladan Panahi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy, 1010 W Ave B, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA; (S.H.); (B.K.); (J.M.)
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy, 59 Reynolds Medical Building, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Correspondence: (L.P.); (G.U.)
| | - George Udeani
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy, 1010 W Ave B, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA; (S.H.); (B.K.); (J.M.)
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy, 59 Reynolds Medical Building, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Correspondence: (L.P.); (G.U.)
| | - Steven Ho
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy, 1010 W Ave B, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA; (S.H.); (B.K.); (J.M.)
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy, 59 Reynolds Medical Building, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Brett Knox
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy, 1010 W Ave B, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA; (S.H.); (B.K.); (J.M.)
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy, 59 Reynolds Medical Building, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Jason Maille
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy, 1010 W Ave B, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA; (S.H.); (B.K.); (J.M.)
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Texas A&M Rangel College of Pharmacy, 59 Reynolds Medical Building, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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Revol B, Jullian-Desayes I, Bailly S, Tamisier R, Grillet Y, Sapène M, Joyeux-Faure M, Pépin JL, Grillet Y, Sapène M, Pépin JL. Who May Benefit From Diuretics in OSA? Chest 2020; 158:359-364. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2020.01.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Efficacy of Antidepressants in the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Compared to Placebo. A Systematic Review with Meta-Analyses. Sleep Breath 2019; 24:443-453. [DOI: 10.1007/s11325-019-01954-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Efficacy of pharmacotherapy for OSA in adults: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Sleep Med Rev 2019; 46:74-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2019.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Song G, Poon CS. α2-Adrenergic blockade rescues hypoglossal motor defense against obstructive sleep apnea. JCI Insight 2017; 2:e91456. [PMID: 28239660 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.91456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Decreased noradrenergic excitation of hypoglossal motoneurons during sleep causing hypotonia of pharyngeal dilator muscles is a major contributor to the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a widespread disease for which treatment options are limited. Previous OSA drug candidates targeting various excitatory/inhibitory receptors on hypoglossal motoneurons have proved unviable in reactivating these neurons, particularly during rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep. To identify a viable drug target, we show that the repurposed α2-adrenergic antagonist yohimbine potently reversed the depressant effect of REM sleep on baseline hypoglossal motoneuron activity (a first-line motor defense against OSA) in rats. Remarkably, yohimbine also restored the obstructive apnea-induced long-term facilitation of hypoglossal motoneuron activity (hLTF), a much-neglected form of noradrenergic-dependent neuroplasticity that could provide a second-line motor defense against OSA but was also depressed during REM sleep. Corroborating immunohistologic, optogenetic, and pharmacologic evidence confirmed that yohimbine's beneficial effects on baseline hypoglossal motoneuron activity and hLTF were mediated mainly through activation of pontine A7 and A5 noradrenergic neurons. Our results suggest a 2-tier (impaired first- and second-line motor defense) mechanism of noradrenergic-dependent pathogenesis of OSA and a promising pharmacotherapy for rescuing both these intrinsic defenses against OSA through disinhibition of A7 and A5 neurons by α2-adrenergic blockade.
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Kubin L. Neural Control of the Upper Airway: Respiratory and State-Dependent Mechanisms. Compr Physiol 2016; 6:1801-1850. [PMID: 27783860 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c160002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Upper airway muscles subserve many essential for survival orofacial behaviors, including their important role as accessory respiratory muscles. In the face of certain predisposition of craniofacial anatomy, both tonic and phasic inspiratory activation of upper airway muscles is necessary to protect the upper airway against collapse. This protective action is adequate during wakefulness, but fails during sleep which results in recurrent episodes of hypopneas and apneas, a condition known as the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA). Although OSA is almost exclusively a human disorder, animal models help unveil the basic principles governing the impact of sleep on breathing and upper airway muscle activity. This article discusses the neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, and neurophysiology of the different neuronal systems whose activity changes with sleep-wake states, such as the noradrenergic, serotonergic, cholinergic, orexinergic, histaminergic, GABAergic and glycinergic, and their impact on central respiratory neurons and upper airway motoneurons. Observations of the interactions between sleep-wake states and upper airway muscles in healthy humans and OSA patients are related to findings from animal models with normal upper airway, and various animal models of OSA, including the chronic-intermittent hypoxia model. Using a framework of upper airway motoneurons being under concurrent influence of central respiratory, reflex and state-dependent inputs, different neurotransmitters, and neuropeptides are considered as either causing a sleep-dependent withdrawal of excitation from motoneurons or mediating an active, sleep-related inhibition of motoneurons. Information about the neurochemistry of state-dependent control of upper airway muscles accumulated to date reveals fundamental principles and may help understand and treat OSA. © 2016 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 6:1801-1850, 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leszek Kubin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Liu ZL, Wu X, Luo YJ, Wang L, Qu WM, Li SQ, Huang ZL. Signaling mechanism underlying the histamine-modulated action of hypoglossal motoneurons. J Neurochem 2016; 137:277-86. [PMID: 26811198 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Revised: 12/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Histamine, an important modulator of the arousal states of the central nervous system, has been reported to contribute an excitatory drive at the hypoglossal motor nucleus to the genioglossus (GG) muscle, which is involved in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea. However, the effect of histamine on hypoglossal motoneurons (HMNs) and the underlying signaling mechanisms have remained elusive. Here, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were conducted using neonatal rat brain sections, which showed that histamine excited HMNs with an inward current under voltage-clamp and a depolarization membrane potential under current-clamp via histamine H1 receptors (H1Rs). The phospholipase C inhibitor U-73122 blocked H1Rs-mediated excitatory effects, but protein kinase A inhibitor and protein kinase C inhibitor did not, indicating that the signal transduction cascades underlying the excitatory action of histamine on HMNs were H1R/Gq/11 /phospholipase C/inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3). The effects of histamine were also dependent on extracellular Na(+) and intracellular Ca(2+), which took place via activation of Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchangers. These results identify the signaling molecules associated with the regulatory effect of histamine on HMNs. The findings of this study may provide new insights into therapeutic approaches in obstructive sleep apnea. We proposed the post-synaptic mechanisms underlying the modulation effect of histamine on hypoglossal motoneuron. Histamine activates the H1Rs via PLC and IP3, increases Ca(2+) releases from intracellular stores, promotes Na(+) influx and Ca(2+) efflux via the NCXs, and then produces an inward current and depolarizes the neurons. Histamine modulates the excitability of HMNs with other neuromodulators, such as noradrenaline, serotonin and orexin. We think that these findings should provide an important new direction for drug development for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Long Liu
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Center of Snoring and Sleep Apnea Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bioactive Small Molecules, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,The Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xu Wu
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Center of Snoring and Sleep Apnea Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan-Jia Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bioactive Small Molecules, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,The Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bioactive Small Molecules, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei-Min Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bioactive Small Molecules, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,The Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shan-Qun Li
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Center of Snoring and Sleep Apnea Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Li Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bioactive Small Molecules, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,The Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Abstract
Psychiatric disorders and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are often comorbid. However, there is limited information on the impact of psychotropic medications on OSA symptoms, on how to manage psychiatric pharmacotherapy in patients presenting with OSA, or on the effectiveness and challenges of OSA treatments in patients with comorbid mental illness. As such, the objective of this article is to provide an overview of some epidemiological aspects of OSA and treatment considerations in the management of OSA in individuals with comorbid psychiatric disorders. Predefined keywords were used to search for relevant literature in electronic databases. Data show that OSA is particularly prevalent in patients with psychiatric disorders. The medical care that patients with these comorbidities require can be challenging, as some of the psychiatric medications used by these patients may exacerbate OSA symptoms. As such, continuous positive airway pressure continues to be the first-line treatment, even in patients with psychiatric comorbidity. However, more controlled studies are required, particularly to determine continuous positive airway pressure compliance in patients with mental illness, the impact of treating OSA on psychiatric symptoms, and the impact of the use of psychotropic medications on OSA symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taryn Heck
- Pharmacy Department, University of Alberta Hospital, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Monica Zolezzi
- Clinical Pharmacy and Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a disorder of airway obstruction with multisystem implications and associated complications. OSAS affects children from infancy to adulthood and is responsible for behavioral, cognitive, and growth impairment as well as cardiovascular and perioperative respiratory morbidity and mortality. OSAS is associated commonly with comorbid conditions, including obesity and asthma. Adenotonsillectomy is the most commonly used treatment option for OSAS in childhood, but efforts are underway to identify medical treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah A Schwengel
- Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Nicholas M Dalesio
- Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tracey L Stierer
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 601 N. Caroline Street, 6th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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Grace KP, Hughes SW, Horner RL. Identification of a pharmacological target for genioglossus reactivation throughout sleep. Sleep 2014; 37:41-50. [PMID: 24470694 DOI: 10.5665/sleep.3304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a significant public health problem caused by repeated episodes of upper airway closure that occur only during sleep. Attempts to treat OSA pharmacologically have been unsuccessful because there has not been identification of a target operating at cranial motor nuclei, blockade of which can reactivate pharyngeal muscle activity throughout sleep. Increasing potassium conductance is a common mechanism by which state-dependent neuromodulators reduce motoneuron excitability. Therefore, we aimed to determine if potassium channel blockade is an effective strategy to reactivate the pharyngeal musculature throughout sleep. DESIGN PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS In rats chronically instrumented for recording sleep-wake states and respiratory motor activities, we locally microperfused pharmacological agents into the hypoglossal motor pool to modulate potassium channels of three major classes: inwardly rectifying, two-pore domain, and voltage-gated. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Microperfusion of the inwardly rectifying potassium channel blocker, barium, as well as the voltage-gated potassium channel blockers, tetraethylammonium and 4-aminopyridine, increased tonic and respiratory-related genioglossus activities throughout nonrapid eye movement (non-REM) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep to 133-300% of levels present during baseline wakefulness. In contrast, microperfusion of methanandamide (TWIK-related acid-sensitive potassium [TASK] channel blocker/cannabinoid receptor agonist) activated genioglossus in wakefulness but not in sleep. CONCLUSIONS These findings establish proof-of-principle that targeted blockade of certain potassium channels at the hypoglossal motor pool is an effective strategy for reversing upper airway hypotonia and causing sustained reactivation of genioglossus throughout nonrapid eye movement and rapid eye movement sleep. These findings identify an important new direction for translational approaches to the pharmacological treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin P Grace
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Stuart W Hughes
- Eli Lilly, Erl Wood Manor, Windlesham, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Richard L Horner
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada ; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Wang D, Eckert DJ, Grunstein RR. Drug effects on ventilatory control and upper airway physiology related to sleep apnea. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2013; 188:257-66. [PMID: 23685318 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2013.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2013] [Revised: 05/05/2013] [Accepted: 05/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the inter-relationship between pharmacological agents, ventilatory control, upper airway physiology and their consequent effects on sleep-disordered breathing may provide new directions for targeted drug therapy. Where available, this review focuses on human studies that contain both drug effects on sleep-disordered breathing and measures of ventilatory control or upper airway physiology. Many of the existing studies are limited in sample size or comprehensive methodology. At times, the presence of paradoxical findings highlights the complexity of drug therapy for OSA. The existing studies also highlight the importance of considering inter-individual pharmacokinetics and underlying causes of sleep apnea in interpreting drug effects on sleep-disordered breathing. Practical ways to assess an individual's ventilatory control and how it interacts with upper airway physiology is required for future targeted pharmacotherapy in sleep apnea.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Wang
- Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Glebe Point Road, Glebe, 2037 NSW, Australia; Department of Respiratory & Sleep Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
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