Development of an experimental model of obstructive sleep apnea in rats

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common sleep disturbance, affecting up to 33% of the adult population. Numerous studies have shown that OSA can induce and/or aggravate cardiovascular syndromes such as arterial hypertension, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, etc. The mechanisms that cause or exacerbate these syndromes are still not clear. The animal models used currently to study these mechanisms do not replicate the hypercapnea and respiratory effort seen in ASO. We recently developed an inflatable balloon that is contained in a rigid Teflon tube. The tube with the balloon in implanted in the trachea of the rat. Respiration therefore can be blocked in the conscious rat by inflation of the balloon without inducing pain in the trachea. Preliminary results indicate that: a. implants are well tolerated for several weeks; b. apnea induced by this method induced hypertension, bradycardia and increase respiratory effort; c. cardiovascular responses to apnea are reproducible without habituation and/or adaptations; d. cardiovascular responses do not depend exclusively on arterial chemoreceptors; e. spontaneous hypertensive rats exhibit increased responses to obstructive apnea. We aim to further develop this method so that it can be used for extended period of time. In addition, we want to combine this method with chronic recordings of the EEG and an electromyogram to selectively induce periods of apnea during spontaneous sleep. We will measure acute and chronic cardiovascular changes induced by apnea, and the role of chemoreceptors in these changes. (AU)