Oxytocin improves treatment of obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

The present disclosure provides methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and OSA induced cardiorespiratory diseases. The disclosure provides, inter alia, methods for treating or alleviating: OSA or OSA induced hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, myocardial ischemia, sudden cardiac death or stroke, by administering oxytocin. The disclosure further provides methods for improving sleep satisfaction in OSA patients by administering oxytocin.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method for treating a patient suffering from obstructive sleep apnea induced bradycardia, comprising:
 intranasally administering to the patient at least 40 International Units (IU) of oxytocin within an hour of the patient falling asleep.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the administration of oxytocin reduces the incidence of bradycardia associated with obstructive events. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the administration of oxytocin reduces the percent incidence of bradycardia associated with obstructive events by at least 5%. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the administration of oxytocin increases the respiratory rate in the patient during non-obstructive periods while sleeping. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the administration of oxytocin increases the respiratory rate in the patient during non-obstructive periods within 2 hours of sleep onset. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the administration of oxytocin increases the respiratory rate in the patient during non-obstructive periods while sleeping by at least 0.5 breaths/min. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the patient is receiving continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the administration of oxytocin reduces the hypertension experienced by the patient. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the administration of oxytocin maintains the heart rate and/or blood pressure of the patient. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the administration of oxytocin improves sleep quality in the patient. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the administration of oxytocin decreases the number of arousals per hour experienced by the patient during sleep. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the administration of oxytocin decreases the number of arousals per hour experienced by the patient during sleep by at least 10%. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the administration of oxytocin decreases the oxygen desaturation experienced by the patient during sleep. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the administration of oxytocin increases the minimum percent oxygen saturation experienced by the patient during sleep by at least 1%. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the administration of oxytocin decreases the duration of apnea experienced by the patient during sleep. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the administration of oxytocin decreases the duration of apnea experienced by the patient during sleep by at least 5%. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the administration of oxytocin decreases the duration of apnea experienced by the patient during sleep by at least 10%. 
     
     
         47 . A method for increasing nocturnal respiration rate in a patient in need thereof, comprising:
 intranasally administering to the patient at least 40 International Units (IU) of oxytocin within an hour of the patient falling asleep.   
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the administration of oxytocin increases the respiratory rate of the patient during non-obstructive periods while sleeping. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the administration of oxytocin increases the respiratory rate of the patient during non-obstructive periods within 2 hours of sleep onset. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the administration of oxytocin increases the respiratory rate in the patient during non-obstructive periods while sleeping by at least 0.5 breaths/min. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the administration of oxytocin increases the respiratory rate in the patient during non-obstructive periods while sleeping by at least 0.5 breaths/min within 2 hours of sleep onset. 
     
     
         52 . A kit for improving sleep quality in a patient suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, comprising:
 a dose of at least 40 International Units (IU) of oxytocin;   means for intranasal administration of the oxytocin dose; and   instructions for use of the oxytocin dose less than one hour prior to sleep onset.   
     
     
         53 . A kit for treating obstructive sleep apnea in a patient receiving continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, comprising:
 a dose of at least 40 International Units (IU) of oxytocin; and   means for administration of the oxytocin dose via the CPAP machine within an hour of sleep onset.   
     
     
         54 . A therapeutic device for treating obstructive sleep apnea in a patient receiving continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, comprising:
 a CPAP machine;   a dose of at least 40 International Units (IU) of oxytocin; and   means for administration of the oxytocin dose via the CPAP machine within an hour of sleep onset.   
     
     
         55 . A composition comprising a dose of at least 40 International Units (IU) of oxytocin, wherein the composition is contained in a device for intranasal administration, and wherein the device administers at least 40 IU of oxytocin at one time.