Objective To evaluate the correlation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-Cadherin) in serum with the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and explore their clinical value in OSA. Methods A total of 90 patients with OSA admitted to the Sleep Monitoring Center of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from April 2023 to June 2024 were prospectively selected. Based on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), the patients were divided into a mild group (5 - 15 times/hour, n=30), a moderate group (>15 - 30 times/hour, n=28), and a severe group (>30 times/hour, n=32). Thirty healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations during the same period were included as a control group. The levels of serum VEGF and soluble VE-Cadherin (sVE) in all subjects were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The differences in serum VEGF and sVE levels among the groups were compared, and the correlations between serum VEGF and sVE levels and sleep parameters were explored. The moderate and severe OSA patients were given 3 months of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment, and the changes in sleep parameters and serum VEGF and sVE levels before and after treatment were compared. Results The levels of serum VEGF and sVE in the OSA patients increased with the severity of the disease; the levels of serum VEGF and sVE in the moderate and severe OSA groups were significantly higher than those in the healthy control group and the mild OSA group (P<0.05). The levels of serum VEGF and sVE in the severe OSA group were significantly higher than those in the moderate OSA group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the expression levels of serum VEGF or sVE between the mild OSA group and the healthy control group (P>0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of serum VEGF in diagnosing OSA were 65.6% and 93.3%, respectively, with an area under curve (AUC) value of 0.845. The sensitivity and specificity of serum VE-Cadherin in diagnosing OSA were 64.4% and 96.7%, respectively, with an AUC value of 0.835. After 3 months of CPAP treatment, AHI, longest apnea time, serum VEGF and sVE levels in the moderate and severe OSA groups decreased significantly, mean arterial oxygen saturation and lowest arterial oxygen saturation increased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusions The levels of VEGF and VE-Cadherin in serum of OSA patients are significantly elevated and positively correlated with the severity of OSA. Monitoring the changes in the levels of VEGF and VE-Cadherin in serum of OSA patients is helpful for evaluating the therapeutic effect of CPAP.
Objective To investigate the correlation between obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and biochemical indexes in children. Methods Seventy-eight children with OSAHS in our hospital from January 2015 to February 2017 were recruited as an observation group, and 100 normal children who underwent physical examination were selected as a control group in the same period. The mean values and positive rates of biochemical markers were compared between two groups including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), fasting blood glucose (FPG) level. Results The mean values of biochemical indexes showed significant differences between the observation group and the control group except BUN and FPG [ALT, (52.1±26.2) U/L vs. (41.3±18.5) U/L; TC, (4.9±0.9) mmol/L vs. (4.3±0.8) mmol/L; TG, (1.4±0.7) mmol/L vs. (1.0±0.4) mmol/L; CK-MB, (24.3±9.5) U/L vs. (11.2±8.2) U/L; cTnI, (1.4±0.7) μg/L vs. (1.0±0.6) μg/L] (all P<0.05). The positive rates also showed significant differences between the observation group and the control group except BUN and FPG [ALT (48.7%vs. 14.0%), TC (24.4% vs. 8.0%), TG (23.1% vs. 8.0%), CK-MB (41.0% vs. 11.0%), cTnI (34.6% vs. 7.0%) (all P<0.05). Conclusions The cardiac function and liver function are significantly impaired in children with OSAHS, showing the disorder of lipid metabolism to some extent. These abnormal indexes may be the occurrence and development of OSAHS. More attention should be paid to the detection of biochemical indexes in children with OSAHS.
Objective To evaluate the changes of right ventricular function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) before and after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment by two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI). Methods Fifty patients with moderate and severe OSAHS were selected for CPAP treatment, and another 40 healthy volunteers were selected as a control group. 2D-STI and traditional echocardiography were conducted in the study group before treatment, after 3 months of continuous treatment and after 6 months of continuous treatment and in the control group. Results The differences between the control subjects and the OSAHS patients were statistically significant in right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RVGLS), right ventricular free lateral wall longitudinal strain (RVLLS), apical segment of the right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (Apical RV-SL), basal segment of the right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (Basal RV-SL), and media segment of the right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (Media RV-SL) (all P<0.05). RVGLS, RVLLS and Apical RV-SL were significantly improved after 3 months of CPAP treatment (all P<0.05). Basal RV-SL was significantly improved after 6 months of CPAP treatment (P<0.05). Conclusions The right ventricular function of patients with OSAHS is abnormal. CPAP treatment can improve the right ventricular function of OSAHS patients. 2D-STI can accurately assess the changes of right ventricular function.
Objective To investigate the differences in clinical characteristics and polysomnographic characteristics between the elderly obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome ( OSAHS) patients and the young and middle-aged OSAHS patients. Methods The clinical manifestations and the polysomnographic characteristics of 37 elderly OSAHS patients and 294 young and middle-aged patients were analyzed. The differences in polysomnographic indicators between two groups were compared according to the body mass index.Results The nocturia frequency in the elderly OSAHS patients was higher( P =0. 01) ,however, the othert clinical manifestations between the elderly group and the young and middle-aged group were not different significantly. The elderly group had a lower body mass index ( P =0. 018) , a smaller neck circumference ( P =0. 003) , and a larger chance of diabetes ( P = 0. 001) and hypertension( P lt; 0. 001) .The phase Ⅰ and phase Ⅱ sleep of the elderly group took a longer duration ( P lt; 0. 001) and a larger proportion( P lt;0. 001) . The sleep apnea-hypopnea index between two groups did not show any significant difference( P =0. 082) . The lowest night oxyhemoglobin saturation of the elderly group was higher than that of the young and middle-aged group( P =0. 009) , but such difference disappeared after adjustment by weight ( P =0. 114) . Conclusions The major clinical manifestations of the elderly OSAHS patients are similar to the young and middle-aged patients. The elderly patients are thinner than the young and middle-aged patients, but have more complications and a higher frequency of nocturia. The night oxyhemoglobin saturation is lower in young and middle-aged patients which is associated with higher body mass index.
ObjectiveTo analyse the hundred top-cited articles in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), and summarize the development trend of OSAHS research.MethodsWe searched the Web of Science core collection for all published articles on OSAHS or sleep disorders from January 1st, 1992 to May 23th, 2018. The hundred top-cited articles with the most frequent citation were selected. The publication time, country of origin, journal, institution, professional field of corresponding author, funding type, publication type, etc. were analyzed.ResultsThe hundred top-cited articles were published between 1992 and 2013, with 300～5 980 citations and a total of 65 719 citations. The main types of articles were clinical studies (73 articles), reviews (20 articles), guidelines (4 articles) and basic research (3 articles). Fourteen authors published more than one first-author paper, and fifteen authors published more than one articles as corresponding authors. These authors were distributed across 22 subject areas. The most cited country was the United States (60 articles), and the most cited institution was the University of Wisconsin (10 articles). The hundred top-cited articles were published in 31 journals, most of which were cited less than 1 000 times, and a few articles were cited more than 2 000 times.ConclusionsOSAHS has attracted much attention in respiratory medicine, neurology, epidemiology and other fields, and many articles about clinical research types of OSAHS have been cited. In addition, most of the highly cited articles in the OSAHS field come from the developed countries; our country needs to devote more resources to OSAHS research.
ObjectiveTo investigate the expression and significance of CD73 in rats with intermittent hypoxia and high fat diet.MethodsThe rat model of chronic intermittent hypoxia combined with high fat diet was established. Twenty-four healthy male Wistar rats in the SPF level were randomly divided into 4 group, with 6 rats in each group, namely group A (normoxia and normal diet), group B (normoxia and high fat diet), group C (intermittent hypoxia and normal diet)and group D (intermittent hypoxia and high-fat diet). After 6 weeks of experiment, the serum lipid levels, myocardial morphological changes under microscope, the expression level of CD73 protein detected byimmunohistochemistry and Western blot in myocardial cells in rats were compared among these groups.ResultsThe serum lipid levels were significantly different among these groups (P<0.05). HE results showed that the myocardial cells of group A had no obvious abnormalities; disorganized visible myocardial fibers with focal necrosis in groups B and C; myocardial cell injury was most obvious in group D, in which visible muscle fibers arranged in disorder, and grain was not clear, part of the muscle fibers were dissolved predominantly. Compared with group A, CD73 protein expression levels in myocardial cells in groups B, C, and D were significantly elevated (P<0.01). Furthermore, CD73 protein expression level in myocardial cells in group D was significantly higher than those in groups B and C (P<0.01). Western blot showed consistent results as immunohistochemistry: compared with group A, CD73 protein expression levels in groups B, C, and D were significantly elevated (P<0.05), and CD73 protein expression level in myocardial cells in group D was significantly higher than those in groups B and C (P<0.01).ConclusionChronic intermittent hypoxia and high fat diet can cause myocardial cell damage and upregulate CD73 expression in the cardiomyocytes.
Objective To explore effects of edaravone on apoptosis and expressions of apoptotic proteins Smac and XIAP in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cell of rats under intermittent hypoxia. Methods A total of 96 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group, 5% intermittent hypoxic group and edaravone group, and each group was divided into 4 time groups at 7 d, 14 d, 21 d and 28 d, respectively, with 8 rats in each subgroup. The content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in hippocampal tissues of the experimental rats was detected by the reactive oxygen species detection kit. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the expressions of Smac and XIAP protein in hippocampal CA1 region. The Tunel method detected the apoptosis of neurons. Results Compared with the control group, the content of ROS, the expressions of Smac and XIAP proteins and the neuronal apoptosis index in the hippocampus were increased in the 5% intermittent hypoxia group and the edaravone group at each time point (all P<0.05). The content of ROS, the Smac protein expression and the neuronal apoptosis index in the edaravone group were significantly lower than those in the 5% intermittent hypoxia group (all P<0.05). The expression of XIAP protein in the edaravone group was significantly higher than that in the 5% intermittent hypoxia group (P<0.05). Conclusion Edaravone may improve the antioxidant capacity of the body by scavenging oxygen free radicals and regulate Smac and XIAP- mediated apoptosis, thus playing a protective role on neurons.
Objective To discuss the screening and diagnostic value of nocturnal oximetry saturation monitoring combined with clinical score (CS) for patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Methods A total of 106 snorers were recruited in the analysis whose general information and medical history were collected respectively. All patients received polysomnography (PSG) and oximeter monitoring. The patients were divided into a non-OSAHS group and an OSAHS group according to apnea hypopnea index (AHI). A correlation analysis was made between PSG-AHI and oximeter-ODI to analyze the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of different ODI combined with CS for OSAHS. Results The AHI, ODI, CS for the non-OSAHS group were 1.8±1.4 times/h, 2.6±3.5 times/h and 1.0±0.8; while for the OSAHS group they were correspondingly 37.3±23.9 times/h, 31.0±24.1 times/h, 2.6±1.1. There was a significant correlation between ODI and AHI (r=0.943, P<0.01). The sensitivity and specificity of ODI≥5 times/h combined with CS≥2 for diagnosis of OSAHS were 91.7% and 94.1% respectively, which had the value of preliminary screening. The sensitivity and specificity of ODI≥10 times/h combined with CS≥2 for diagnosis of OSAHS were 77.8% and 100.0% respectively, which would not result in misdiagnose for severe patients with AHI >30 times/h, so it could be an index of severe OSAHS screening. Conclusion Nocturnal oxyhemoglobin saturation monitoring combined with clinical score is of significant value for initial diagnosis of OSAHS.
Objective To investigate the clinical significance of changes in cardiopulmonary function, degree of hypoxia and inflammatory factors in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients combined chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A retrospective case-control study was conducted on 209 patients with OSAHS admitted from October 2015 to April 2022. The OSAHS patients were divided into an OSAHS-only group, an OSAHS combined with mild COPD group, an OSAHS combined with moderate COPD group, and an OSAHS combined with severe and very severe COPD group based on pulmonary function test. The characteristics of cardiopulmonary function [(pulmonary artery pressure, N terminal pro B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), forced expiratory volume in the first second to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), percent predicted value of FEV1 (FEV1%pred)], hypoxia indexes [night lowest saturation of pulse oxygen (NL-SpO2), night medial saturation of pulse oxygen (NM-SpO2), saturation of pulse oxygen less than 85% of the time (TS85), diurnal lowest saturation of pulse oxygen (DL-SpO2)], inflammatory factor indicators [procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR)], and other characteristics were compared separately. The partial correlation analysis and logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of OSAHS with COPD. Results There were statistically significant differences in age, days of hospitalization, cardiopulmonary function indexes, hypoxia indexes and inflammatory factor indexes between the OSAHS combined with COPD group and the OSAHS-only group (all P<0.05). And pulmonary artery pressure, NT-proBNP, TS85, IL-6, and NLR were higher and DL-SpO2, NL-SpO2, and NM-SpO2 were lower in the OSAHS combined with severe and very severe COPD group compared with the OSAHS combined with mild COPD group (all P<0.05). In the partial correlation analysis, FEV1%pred was negatively correlated with pulmonary artery pressure, NT-proBNP, TS85, IL-6, hs-CRP and NLR, and positively correlated with DL-SpO2, NL-SpO2 and NM-SpO2 (all P<0.05). In regression analysis, NLR and TS85 were the main risk factors for OSAHS combined with COPD (all P<0.05). Conclusions OSAHS patients combined with COPD have longer hospital days, greater burden of hypoxia, cardiopulmonary function and inflammation compared with patients with OSAHS alone, especially more significant in patients with poorer pulmonary function, and higher incidence of pulmonary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and lower limb edema. NLR and TS85 are the main risk factors in patients with OSAHS combined with severe and very severe COPD.
Objective To explore the difference between the hemorheology levels and the expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1α/2α (HIF-1α/2α) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the Tibetan and Han patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Methods This research recruited 30 high-risk Tibetan and Han patients with OSAHS, and 30 Tibetan and Han healthy volunteers at the same period. The whole blood viscometer was used to detect the high shear rate of whole blood viscosity, low shear rate of whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity ratio, red blood cell aggregation index, and hematocrit in each group. RT-qPCR and Western blot assays were used to detect the mRNA and protein levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), serine/threonine kinase (AKT), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65, HIF-1α and HIF-2α in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results The hemorheology level of Tibetan OSAHS patients was significantly higher than that of healthy Tibetans and Han OSAHS patients (P<0.05), and the hemorheology level of Han OSAHS patients was significantly higher than that of Han healthy people (P<0.05) . The mRNA and protein levels of PI3K, AKT, NF-κB p65 and HIF-1α in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of Tibetan OSAHS patients were significantly higher than those of the healthy Tibetans or Han people, and these indexes of the Han OSAHS patients were significantly higher than those of the Han healthy people (all P<0.05), while HIF-2α mRNA and protein levels were significantly lower than those of healthy Han people (all P<0.05). Conclusion The upregulation of HIF-1α level and downregulation of HIF-2α expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of OSAHS patients depend on the activation of the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway, and the hemorheological level of Tibetan OSAHS patients is higher than that of Han OSAHS patients.