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Updated: Mar 12, 2026

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
Relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and endogenous carbon monoxide.
Masanori Azuma1, Kimihiko Murase1, Ryo Tachikawa1
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; and.
Exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) levels, but not blood CO, correlate with hypoxia in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. Continuous positive airway pressure therapy reduces exhaled CO, suggesting it reflects OSA-related oxidative stress.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Sleep Medicine
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Endogenous carbon monoxide (CO) is a marker of heme oxygenase-1 activity, induced by hypoxia and oxidative stress.
- Few studies have investigated endogenous CO levels in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients.
- The differential impact of OSA on exhaled versus blood CO levels remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare exhaled and blood CO levels in patients with suspected OSA.
- To investigate the correlation of these CO levels with sleep parameters and hypoxia.
- To assess the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on CO levels in OSA patients.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 69 patients with suspected OSA.
- Measurement of exhaled and blood CO levels at night and in the morning.
- Correlation analysis with sleep parameters (e.g., apnea-hypopnea index, oxygen saturation).
- Comparison of CO levels between OSA and control groups, and before/after CPAP therapy.
Main Results:
- Exhaled and blood CO levels were significantly correlated.
- Exhaled CO levels correlated with nocturnal hypoxia (arterial oxygen saturation < 90%) and total sleep time, while blood CO did not.
- Exhaled CO levels were significantly higher in OSA patients (AHI ≥ 15) than in controls (AHI < 15).
- CPAP therapy significantly reduced exhaled CO levels in OSA patients, but not blood CO levels.
Conclusions:
- Exhaled CO levels are positively related to hypoxia during sleep in OSA patients.
- Blood CO levels do not correlate with sleep parameters or hypoxia in OSA.
- Exhaled CO may serve as a more sensitive indicator of oxidative stress associated with OSA than blood CO.
- CPAP therapy effectively reduces exhaled CO, supporting its role as a biomarker for OSA-related oxidative stress.
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