Objective To evaluate the effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs) on sleep apneas in Sprague-Dawley ( SD) rats. Methods Thirty adultmale SD rats were randomly divided into two groups ( 15 rats in each group) . The treatment group and the control group were injected intraperitoneally with paroxetine ( 10 mg· kg- 1 · d - 1 ) and sterile distilled water ( 2 mL· kg- 1 · d - 1) for 7 days respectively. Parameters about sleep apnea and sleep structure were measured before and after the treatment. Results In the treatment group, there was a significant reduction of apnea index ( AI) from ( 12. 4 ±3. 7)times /hour to ( 7. 4 ±2. 2) times/ hour ( P = 0. 000) . Both post sigh apnea index ( PSAI) and spontaneous apnea index ( SPAI) were decreased significantly ( P = 0. 000 and 0. 021 respectively) in non-rapid eye movement ( NREM) sleep, but not in REM sleep. REM sleep was reduced from 8. 6% to 8. 0% ( P =0. 013) and its latency was increased from ( 54. 1 ±48. 4) min to ( 110. 9 ±43. 4) min ( P = 0. 001) in the treatment group, as well as the sleep-onset latency [ from ( 20. 7 ±9. 1) min to ( 30. 0 ±15. 7) min, P =0. 038] . Conclusion Paroxetine can reduce sleep apneas in SD rats during NREMsleep. Its effects on sleep structure include reducing REM time, increasing REM latency and sleep-onset latency.
Objective To reveal the worldwide research status and hot topics of sleep apnea syndrome ( SAS) . Methods Articles were searched from Web of Science ( SCI) , Essential Science Indicator ( 2000 to 2010) database using sleep apnea syndrome or apnea as keywords. Retrieved documents were analyzed using the database with its own statistical functions and histcite software ( version 8.12. 16) .Results Since 1992 the international scientific papers on the SAS study showed a gradual upward trend.The United States is a world leader in this field. Recent research has focused on vascular endothelial barrier function and repair, oxidative stress, inflammation, cognitive function, special populations such as the elderlyor children patients with SAS. Conclusion Clinical researchers have paid more attention to SAS than before, but there are still many important issues unresolved.