HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A new scientific review by researchers at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine sheds light on the growing link between gut health and sleep apnea suggesting new therapeutic possibilities for this widespread and serious condition.

Published earlier this month in the journal Sleep Medicine the article was led by Marshall medical student Rebecca Hicks alongside faculty researchers. It examines how gut microbiota the complex community of microorganisms in the digestive system may influence the onset and severity of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The review notes consistent alterations in gut microbiota among individuals with sleep apnea which may contribute to leaky gut or compromised intestinal barrier function. This dysfunction can trigger systemic inflammation exacerbating sleep apnea symptoms and contributing to organ damage.

Recent studies indicate that shifts in gut microbiota diversity and composition may contribute to the development or progression of sleep apnea said Hicks the lead author of the review. This relationship may be driven by factors such as impaired gut barrier integrity inflammation immune system activity and communication along the gut-brain axis.

The review also emphasizes the potential role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) small cell-derived particles that carry molecular signals as key messengers between the gut and brain. These EVs may influence sleep regulation by modulating immune responses or delivering microbial signals to the brain and could serve as valuable biomarkers or therapeutic targets for addressing the gut–brain connection in sleep apnea.

The authors of the review David Gozal M.D., M.B.A., Ph.D. (Hon); Sarfraz Ahmed, Ph.D.; and Abdelnaby Khalyfa, M.S., Ph.D. all from Marshall University emphasize the need for future longitudinal studies to better understand how shifts in the gut microbiome over time may influence the onset progression or outcomes of sleep apnea. They also call for deeper exploration into the specific mechanisms through which microbial species and their metabolites impact sleep physiology. Additionally the team advocates for the development of novel treatment strategies focused on enhancing gut health as a potential therapeutic approach to managing sleep apnea.

It’s inspiring to see medical students at the forefront of investigating such complex and evolving topics as the gut–sleep relationship said Khalyfa professor of biomedical sciences at Marshall University corresponding author of the study and mentor to lead author Rebecca Hicks. This research not only advances our scientific understanding of sleep apnea but also highlights the critical contributions early-career scientists can make in driving innovation and shaping the future of sleep medicine.

Source: https://jcesom.marshall.edu/news/musom-news/marshall-researchers-explore-gut-microbiota-s-role-in-sleep-apnea-in-new-review-published-in-sleep-medicine/