Purpose: Although the mechanism is unclear, daytime sleepiness, a common sequela of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), has been found to be correlated with a adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Reviewing metabolomics mechanisms of sleep disturbances and cardiovascular disease may help to explain this correlation.
Methods: This review examines the current literature on the relationships between sleepiness, sleep duration, and metabolites in sleep apnea.
Results: Although there is a lack of comprehensive literature in this emerging area, existing studies point to a variety of metabolites in different pathways that are associated with sleepiness and sleep duration.
Conclusion: Advancing metabolomics research in sleep apnea will guide symptom research and provide alternate and novel opportunities for effective treatment for patients with OSA.
Keywords: Cardiovascular disease risk; Metabolites; Sleep apnea; Sleep duration; Sleepiness.