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Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Induced Hypertension: Role of the Gut Microbiota

  • Gut Microbiome, Sympathetic Nervous System, and Hypertension (MK Raizada and EM Richards, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a significant risk factor for systemic hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. While this relationship has been firmly established, a detailed understanding of how OSA leads to hypertension is lacking. This review will examine the emerging idea that the gut microbiota plays a role in the development of hypertension, including that associated with OSA.

Recent Findings

Disruption of the normal composition of the gut microbiota, termed dysbiosis, has been identified in a number of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, including diabetes, obesity, and atherosclerosis. Recently, a number of studies have demonstrated gut dysbiosis in various animal models of hypertension as well as in hypertensive patients. Evidence is now emerging that gut dysbiosis plays a causal role in the development of OSA-induced hypertension.

Summary

In this review, we will examine the evidence that gut dysbiosis plays a role in OSA-induced hypertension. We will discuss potential mechanisms linking OSA to gut dysbiosis, examine how gut dysbiosis may be linked to hypertension, and highlight how this understanding may be utilized for the development of future therapeutics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Room 434D, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    David J. Durgan

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Correspondence to David J. Durgan.

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David Durgan declares that he has no conflicts of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

All reported studies/experiments with human or animal subjects performed by the author have been previously published and complied with all applicable ethical standards (including the Helsinki declaration and its amendments, institutional/national research committee standards, and international/national/institutional guidelines).

Grants

The present study was supported, in part, by grants from the American Heart Association 16SDG29970000 and the National Institutes of Health PHS DK56338, NINDS R01NS080531, 5R21NS094806.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Gut Microbiome, Sympathetic Nervous System, and Hypertension

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Durgan, D.J. Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Induced Hypertension: Role of the Gut Microbiota. Curr Hypertens Rep 19, 35 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-017-0732-3

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