Scientists from the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil have found that sleep apnea, a short-term breathing disorder associated with snoring, may be a cause of premature aging. Research results published In Society for Sleep Research (SRS).
Forty-six men aged 50-60 with moderate to severe apnea participated in the study. This is a sleep disorder accompanied by cessation of nasal breathing lasting at least ten seconds. After analyzing information about the subjects’ health status, the scientists found that telomeres shortened faster in patients with apnea, a sign of cellular aging.
Telomeres occupy the ends of chromosomes. They prevent these sections and chromosomes from sticking together and also determine how many times cells in the human body can divide. With each division, telomeres shorten. Cells with critically short telomeres cannot function properly and repair damage.
To test whether apnea was indeed associated with telomere shortening, the researchers divided the participants into two groups. Subjects in the first group received CPAP therapy (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), a method to correct sleep apnea that involves creating continuous positive pressure in the airways. The scientists used the same equipment to simulate the treatment of participants in the second group.
At the end of the study, it was revealed that CPAP treatment slowed the rate of telomere shortening in the participants in the first group. No improvement was observed in the second group.
Scientists have stated that sleep disorders can actually accelerate the natural aging process. The researchers hope their study will raise awareness of the negative consequences of sleep apnea and motivate people to seek treatment.
Previous scientists discovered The relationship between sleep quality and dementia.