Abstract
Rationale: OSAS and obesity are two risk factors that can lead to the early development of cardiovascular events. These two diseases very often coexist, and it's hard to understand the mecchanisms that characterize each one. Our aim was to determine the different pathways of these two disorders.
Methods: We evaluated 38 children (M/F=23/15; mean age: 7.68±3.78 years), divided in three groups (18 children with OSAS but non obese, 10 Obese children but without OASA, 10 controls). All children underwent blood sample test for the evaluation of CRP hs, the lipidic and metabolic aspect (Glycemia, Insulin, Cholesterol total, LDL and HDL, triglycerides, leptin, adiponectin, and resistin), the interleuchines pattern (IL-1 α e β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-γ, TNF-α, VEGF, EGF, MCP1) and the polysomnography examination.
Results: Children with OSAS and children with obesity showed higher levels of LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides compared to controls (OSAS p=0.005 and p=0.01; Obese p=0.01 and p=0.005). In the obese group leptin levels were significantly higher compared to controls and to the OSAS (p=0.00). In the OSAS groups we found significantly higher levels of IL 1 β (p=0.04) and TNF-α (p=0.05) compared to controls and obese groups.
Conclusions: OSAS and obesity have two different pathways. OSAS promotes an inflammatory pattern through the stimulation of TNF-α, wehereas obesity determines an hormonal deregulation especially of the adipokines one, as leptin.
- © 2011 ERS
