PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - M. A. Arias
AU  - F. García-Río
AU  - A. Alonso-Fernández
AU  - Á. Hernanz
AU  - R. Hidalgo
AU  - V. Martínez-Mateo
AU  - S. Bartolomé
AU  - L. Rodríguez-Padial
TI  - CPAP decreases plasma levels of soluble tumour necrosis factor-α receptor 1 in obstructive sleep apnoea
AID  - 10.1183/09031936.00007008
DP  - 2008 Oct 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 1009--1015
VI  - 32
IP  - 4
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/32/4/1009.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/32/4/1009.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2008 Oct 01; 32
AB  - There is increasing evidence that inflammation plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular complications in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). No previous works have studied levels of soluble tumour necrosis factor-α receptor (sTNFR)-1 in patients with OSA. The aims of the present study were to examine serum levels of sTNFR-1 and the effect of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in patients with OSA. A prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled crossover study was performed. In total, 30 consecutive newly diagnosed OSA patients (apnoea/hypopnoea index 43.8±27.0 events·h−1) and 15 healthy obese patients were selected. Urinary levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine, as well as plasma sTNFR-1, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and leukotriene (LT)B4 levels were obtained at baseline and after 3 months of CPAP or sham CPAP. Nocturnal urinary levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine and sTNFR-1 (1,053±269 versus 820±166 pg·mL−1) were significantly higher in OSA patients. There were no significant differences in plasma levels of IL-6, LTB4, or TNF-α between the two study groups. There were no significant differences in blood pressure, urinary catecholamine levels, or plasma IL-6, LTB4 and TNF-α levels after both treatment modalities. However, after 3 months of effective CPAP usage, sTNFR-1 levels were significantly reduced (1,053±269 versus 899±254 pg·mL−1). Obstructive sleep apnoea patients have higher levels of soluble tumour necrosis factor-α receptor 1 than individuals without OSA; soluble tumour necrosis factor-α receptor 1 levels are lowered by continuous positive airway pressure therapy. These findings further corroborate a potential role of inflammation in the natural history of obstructive sleep apnoea.