With accelerated global urbanization, understanding the impact of pollutant emissions and air pollution on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity has become increasingly important. Particulate matter (PM) is a major component of air pollution. Recent studies have reported that PM influences OSA, obesity, and obesity-related metabolic disorders. The primary mechanisms proposed to underlie the effects of PM on OSA involve chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in the nasal epithelia. Regarding obesity, PM induces chronic inflammation in the hypothalamus, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and mitochondria; oxidative stress in white adipose tissue, the lungs, and the thyroid; activation of lipogenesis genes; changes in adipose tissue distribution; dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiome; and disruption of circadian rhythms. Therefore, reducing air pollution, including PM concentrations, represents a potential strategy for treating OSA and obesity and preventing related complications. Further prospective longitudinal studies in human participants are needed to clarify the effects of PM on the risk of OSA and obesity and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Hye Jun Lee (2025) studied this question.