已发表论文

铁死亡在阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征病理生理学中的潜在机制

 

Authors Zeng X, Zhang N 

Received 30 June 2025

Accepted for publication 18 October 2025

Published 22 November 2025 Volume 2025:17 Pages 3033—3051

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/NSS.S549883

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 4

Editor who approved publication: Prof. Dr. Ahmed BaHammam

Xiangxia Zeng,1 Nuofu Zhang2 

1Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People’s Republic of China; 2Sleep Medicine Center, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, National Center for Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Nuofu Zhang, Sleep Medicine Center, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, National Center for Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-20-83062850, Email nfzhanggird@163.com

Abstract: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by recurrent upper airway obstruction, resulting in intermittent hypoxia, oxidative stress, and systemic inflammation. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death triggered by lipid peroxidation, has recently been proposed as a potential contributor to the tissue injury observed in OSAS. OSAS appears to aggravate disturbances in iron homeostasis and oxidative imbalance, both of which may converge to exacerbate disease pathophysiology. However, the precise mechanisms linking ferroptosis to OSAS remain largely speculative. Emerging evidence from experimental studies indicates that ferroptosis-related genes and pathways might be involved in the cardiovascular, neurological, and renal complications associated with OSAS. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding oxidative stress and iron metabolism under intermittent hypoxia, explores the potential regulatory mechanisms of ferroptosis, and discusses its hypothesized contribution to OSAS-related organ injury. While targeting ferroptosis may represent a promising research direction, the current evidence remains preliminary and predominantly experimental. Further mechanistic and clinical investigations are essential to clarify whether ferroptosis plays a causal role in OSAS pathogenesis and to evaluate its translational relevance.

Keywords: obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, ferroptosis, oxidative stress, iron metabolism, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration