Metabolic aspects of sleep apnea

Abstract

Sleep apnea is associated with abnormalities in metabolic function. First, there is a strong epidemiological link between central obesity and sleep apnea. Some evidence suggests that sleep apnea may promote weight gain or prevent weight loss by several mechanisms: reduction in anabolic (growth hormone and testosterone) hormone secretion, influences on energy balance and insulin sensitivity, and altered central serotonergic tone.