Serum omentin levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Sleep Medicine
• Cardiovascular Disease Research

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is strongly associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) rates.
• The underlying mechanisms linking OSAS to heightened cardiovascular risk are not fully understood.
• Adipose tissue-derived hormones (adipokines) are emerging as key players in metabolic syndrome, OSAS, and CVD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between circulating omentin levels and the presence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
• To explore omentin as a potential biomarker in the context of OSAS and metabolic disturbances.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 46 newly diagnosed OSAS patients and 35 non-apneic controls were recruited.
• Standardized questionnaires collected demographic, clinical history, and lifestyle data.
• Polysomnography was performed, and plasma omentin levels were measured the following morning.

Main Results:

• OSAS patients exhibited significantly higher plasma omentin levels (570.8 ng/ml) compared to controls (432.0 ng/ml; p < 0.001).
• Elevated omentin levels were observed across all OSAS subgroups.
• Plasma omentin levels showed a significant positive correlation with age in the OSAS group.

Conclusions:

• Circulating omentin levels are significantly elevated in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
• This study provides the first clinical evidence demonstrating a direct association between omentin and OSAS.
• Omentin may serve as a relevant biomarker in understanding the pathophysiology of OSAS and its cardiovascular implications.