Treatment of Sleep Apnea Does Not Improve Testosterone Blood Levels

Excel Male · Jan 28, 2014

Abstract

Background

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) improves symptoms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). It is currently unclear, whether CPAP also alters endocrine parameters such as sex hormone levels. In a previous study, we have found no changes in sex hormones in patients with OSAS after one night with CPAP.

Aim

The aim of this study was to prove long-term effects of CPAP on sex hormone concentrations in patients with OSAS.

Methods

Twenty-two women and 67 men with severe OSAS (respiratory distress index > 30/h) were enrolled in the study. Fasting blood venous samples were taken before CPAP therapy and after 1 and 6 months of CPAP treatment. Testosterone and estradiol were measured in all samples using commercially available ELISA kits.

Results

No effects of long-term CPAP treatment were found on testosterone or estradiol levels in OSAS patients of either gender.

Conclusions

The results are in line with previous smaller studies. However, our study is larger and longer than previously published studies. In addition, this is the first study analyzing the effects of CPAP on testosterone and estradiol and in both genders. Positive effects of CPAP on sexual functions reported in other studies might, thus, be mediated by other than endocrine effects.

Reference:

P. Celec et al. Journal of Endocrinological Investigation.January 2014, Volume 37, Issue 1, pp 9-12
Testosterone and estradiol are not affected in male and female patients with obstructive sleep apnea treated with continuous positive airway pressure

Nelson Vergel · Sep 11, 2014

Employing a measure rarely used in sleep apnea studies, researchers at the UCLA School of Nursing have uncovered evidence of what may be damaging the brain in people with the sleep disorder — weaker brain blood flow.

In the study, published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS ONE, researchers measured blood flow in the brain using a non-invasive MRI procedure: the global blood volume and oxygen dependent (BOLD) signal. This method is usually used to observe brain activity. Because previous research showed that poor regulation of blood in the brain might be a problem for people with sleep apnea, the researchers used the whole-brain BOLD signal to look at blood flow in individuals with and without obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

http://www.biosciencetechnology.com...rain?et_cid=4148314&et_rid=449166332&type=cta

AlbertZun · Oct 28, 2015

Oh Nelson always with the most relevant and helpful references. nice articles they are!

Nelson Vergel · Dec 23, 2015

Mandibular Devices Work for Lowering Sleep Apnea BP[h=2]Mouth device as good as continuous positive airway pressure[/b]

Mandibular advancement devices are almost as effective as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for lowering blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis.
The analysis showed slightly greater systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) reductions in patients treated with CPAP, but the difference was not statistically significant, wroteDaniel Bratton, PhD, of University Hospital Zurich, and colleagues, in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Cardiology/Hypertension/54961