Nature and Science of Sleep (Jul 2021)
Recent Advances in Studies on the Role of Neuroendocrine Disorders in Obstructive Sleep Apnea–Hypopnea Syndrome-Related Atherosclerosis
Abstract
Wanda Wang,1 Yanli Zheng,1 Meimei Li,1 Shu Lin,1– 3 Huili Lin1 1Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Centre of Neurological and Metabolic Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, People’s Republic of China; 3Diabetes and Metabolism Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, AustraliaCorrespondence: Huili LinDepartment of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail [email protected] LinCentre of Neurological and Metabolic Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail [email protected]: Cardiovascular disease is a common cause of death worldwide, and atherosclerosis (AS) and obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) critically contribute to the initiation and progression of cardiovascular diseases. OSAHS promotes endothelial injury, vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, abnormal lipid metabolism, and elevated arterial blood pressure. However, the exact OSAHS mechanism that causes AS remains unclear. The nervous system is widely distributed in the central and peripheral regions. It regulates appetite, energy metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and vasoconstriction by releasing regulatory factors and participates in the occurrence and development of AS. Studies showed that OSAHS can cause changes in neurophysiological plasticity and affect modulator release, suggesting that neuroendocrine dysfunction may be related to the OSAHS mechanism causing AS. In this article, we review the possible mechanisms of neuroendocrine disorders in the pathogenesis of OSAHS-induced AS and provide a new basis for further research on the development of corresponding effective intervention strategies.Keywords: obstructive sleep apnea, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, sympathetic nerve, neuroendocrine disorders
