Could omega-3 fatty acids a therapeutic treatment of the immune-metabolic consequence of intermittent hypoxia in obstructive sleep apnea?

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 297-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed R. Alzoubi ◽  
Hayder Aldomi AL-Domi
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris D. Meletis ◽  
Kimberly Wilkesa

The human body is dependent upon oxygen for its survival. Yet, various factors such as aging, psychological stress, obstructive sleep apnea, exposure to cigarette smoke, living at high altitude, high-intensity exercise, or a sedentary lifestyle can all lead to a hypoxic state. Hypoxia may be involved in the pathogenesis of a number of disorders including impaired immunity, hormonal imbalances, fibromyalgia, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, depression, and anxiety. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and massage are two means by which to improve oxygen perfusion. Certain dietary supplements such as Ginkgo biloba, coenzyme Q10, and beetroot juice can increase oxygenation through enhanced blood flow while branched-chain amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids can improve maximum oxygen consumption V̇o2max. Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D may reduce the incidence of sleep apnea while N-acetyl cysteine may protect against hypoxia injury related to sleep apnea.


2009 ◽  
Vol 106 (5) ◽  
pp. 1538-1544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariam Louis ◽  
Naresh M. Punjabi

Accumulating evidence suggests that obstructive sleep apnea is associated with alterations in glucose metabolism. Although the pathophysiology of metabolic dysfunction in obstructive sleep apnea is not well understood, studies of murine models indicate that intermittent hypoxemia has an important contribution. However, corroborating data on the metabolic effects of intermittent hypoxia on glucose metabolism in humans are not available. Thus the primary aim of this study was to characterize the acute effects of intermittent hypoxia on glucose metabolism. Thirteen healthy volunteers were subjected to 5 h of intermittent hypoxia or normoxia during wakefulness in a randomized order on two separate days. The intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) was used to assess insulin-dependent and insulin-independent measures of glucose disposal. The IVGTT data were analyzed using the minimal model to determine insulin sensitivity (SI) and glucose effectiveness (SG). Drops in oxyhemoglobin saturation were induced during wakefulness at an average rate of 24.3 events/h. Compared with the normoxia condition, intermittent hypoxia was associated with a decrease in SI [4.1 vs. 3.4 (mU/l)−1·min−1; P = 0.0179] and SG (1.9 vs. 1.3 min−1×10−2, P = 0.0065). Despite worsening insulin sensitivity with intermittent hypoxia, pancreatic insulin secretion was comparable between the two conditions. Heart rate variability analysis showed the intermittent hypoxia was associated with a shift in sympathovagal balance toward an increase in sympathetic nervous system activity. The average R-R interval on the electrocardiogram was 919.0 ms during the normoxia condition and 874.4 ms during the intermittent hypoxia condition ( P < 0.04). Serum cortisol levels after intermittent hypoxia and normoxia were similar. Hypoxic stress in obstructive sleep apnea may increase the predisposition for metabolic dysfunction by impairing insulin sensitivity, glucose effectiveness, and insulin secretion.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document