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Antioxidant capacity in obstructive sleep apnea patients
Kostas Christou1, Anargyros N Moulas, Chaido Pastaka
1Pulmonary Department, Medical School, University of Thessaly, 22 Papakyriazi, 41222 Larissa, Greece.
Sleep Medicine
|November 1, 2003
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to increased oxidative stress. Severe OSA patients show reduced antioxidant capacity, suggesting a connection between sleep apnea severity and the body's ability to combat free radicals.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) causes oxygen desaturation and sleep arousal.
- Hypoxia/reoxygenation during OSA events generates reactive oxygen species (free radicals).
- Cellular reductants, a key antioxidant defense, may be depleted during hypoxic conditions like OSA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate serum antioxidant capacity in OSA patients versus healthy individuals.
- To test the hypothesis linking oxidative stress and OSA.
- To investigate the relationship between OSA severity and antioxidant capacity.
Main Methods:
- 25 participants were interviewed regarding symptoms and medical history.
- Physical examination and polysomnography were conducted.
- Serum antioxidant capacity was measured using the Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) assay.
Main Results:
- 17 of 25 subjects were diagnosed with OSA (apnea/hypopnea index > 10).
- No significant difference in antioxidant capacity was found between the overall OSA group and healthy controls.
- Severe OSA patients (AHI > 20) exhibited a significant negative correlation between antioxidant capacity and AHI (R=-0.551, P=0.041).
Conclusions:
- Reduced serum antioxidant capacity indicates excessive oxidative stress.
- Patients with severe OSA demonstrate diminished antioxidant capacity, highlighting a potential biomarker for disease severity.