TY - JOUR T1 - Leukotriene B<sub>4</sub>: early mediator of atherosclerosis in obstructive sleep apnoea? JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J SP - 113 LP - 120 DO - 10.1183/09031936.00137107 VL - 32 IS - 1 AU - B. Lefebvre AU - J-L. Pépin AU - J-P. Baguet AU - R. Tamisier AU - M. Roustit AU - K. Riedweg AU - G. Bessard AU - P. Lévy AU - F. Stanke-Labesque Y1 - 2008/07/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/32/1/113.abstract N2 - Severity of oxygen desaturation is predictive of early atherosclerosis in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Leukotriene (LT)B4 is a lipid mediator involved in atherogenesis. In 40 non-obese OSA patients, free of a cardiovascular history, and 20 healthy volunteers, the following were evaluated: 1) LTB4 production by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) stimulated with A23187; and 2) the relationships between LTB4 production and both OSA severity and infraclinical atherosclerosis markers. The effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on LTB4 production was also studied. An overnight sleep study was followed by first-morning blood sampling. Isolated PMNs were stimulated with A23187 in order to induce LTB4 production, which was measured by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and luminal diameter were measured in subset groups of 28 OSA patients and 11 controls. LTB4 production was increased in OSA patients compared with controls. LTB4 levels correlated with the mean and minimal arterial oxygen saturation (Sa,O2). LTB4 production correlated with luminal diameter data in patients with a mean Sa,O2 of ≤94% but not with IMT. Lastly, CPAP significantly reduced LTB4 production by 50%. Leukotriene B4 production is increased in obstructive sleep apnoea in relation to oxygen desaturation. Leukotriene B4 could promote early vascular remodelling in moderate-to-severe hypoxic obstructive sleep apnoea patients. ER -