TY - JOUR T1 - Serum adipocyte-fatty acid binding protein level is elevated in severe OSA and correlates with insulin resistance JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J SP - 346 LP - 351 DO - 10.1183/09031936.50075408 VL - 33 IS - 2 AU - D. C-L. Lam AU - A. Xu AU - K. S-L. Lam AU - B. Lam AU - J. C-M. Lam AU - M. M-S. Lui AU - M. S-M. Ip Y1 - 2009/02/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/33/2/346.abstract N2 - Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. There is evidence that adipocyte-fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) may be involved in the development of cardiometabolic dysfunction. The present authors hypothesise that A-FABP is upregulated in OSA. A total of 124 males without hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia or cardiovascular disease were recruited and underwent polysomnography. Serum A-FABP levels showed significant positive correlations with duration of oxygen desaturation and minimal oxygen saturation, fasting insulin and insulin resistance index by homeostasis model assessment. When subjects were divided into tertiles according to apnoea/hypopnoea index (AHI), serum A-FABP levels were significantly higher in the group with AHI ≥34.4 events·h−1 than the groups with AHI 13.2–34.4 events·h−1 or with AHI <13.2 events·h−1. Serum A-FABP levels were significantly higher in the AHI ≥34.4 group than obesity-matched subjects with AHI <34.4 events·h−1. Serum adipocyte-fatty acid binding protein levels correlated with obstructive sleep apnoea and insulin resistance, independently of obesity, and were significantly higher in severe obstructive sleep apnoea. Adipocyte-fatty acid binding protein may play a role in obstructive sleep apnoea and metabolic dysfunction. ER -