The link between obstructive sleep apnea, gut bacteria, and heart disease

Obstructive sleep apnea, the microbiome and cardiovascular disease

NIH-funded research University of California, San Diego · NIH-11002010

This study is looking at how obstructive sleep apnea might change the bacteria in your gut and how that could affect your heart health, and it invites patients to help by sharing samples or information to better understand these connections.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Diego NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-11002010 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects the gut microbiome and its potential role in cardiovascular disease. By examining the effects of intermittent hypoxia and hypercapnia, which are key features of OSA, the study aims to uncover how these factors may alter gut bacteria and their metabolites, potentially leading to atherosclerosis. The research utilizes advanced sequencing technologies and bioinformatics to analyze changes in gut microbiome ecology and metabolism in response to OSA. Patients may be involved in providing samples or data to help understand these relationships better.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, particularly those experiencing cardiovascular issues.

Not a fit: Patients without obstructive sleep apnea or those with unrelated cardiovascular conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into how treating obstructive sleep apnea might reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the relationship between the gut microbiome and cardiovascular health, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

La Jolla, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.