[Anti-aging klotho protein. Associations with sleep patterns in obstructive sleep apnea: A pilot study]

To evaluate the blood level of the anti-aging klotho protein in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and determine its relationship with quantitative sleep indicators.

The main group (MG) included 29 males with a median age of 45 [38.5; 53] years diagnosed with moderate OSAS and meeting inclusion criteria. The level of the anti-aging klotho protein in patients with OSAS was measured, and its relationship with quantitative sleep indicators was determined. The control group (CG) included 20 healthy volunteers without OSAS symptoms, comparable in age (median age was 43.8 [36; 58] years). Routine polysomnographic monitoring was performed; the klotho protein was measured by the enzyme immunoassay method using the Chem Well (USA) device with the SEH757Hu commercial kit («Cloud-Clone Corp.», USA). Also, statistical analysis was performed.

The level of klotho protein was 217 [156; 459] pg/mL in the MG and 272.5 [210; 459] pg/mL in the CG, p<0.012. The correlation analysis showed a positive linear association between the klotho protein and «deep» sleep (3NREM) (r=0.5980, p=0.001) and «fast» sleep (REM) phases (r=0.4281, p=0.021), and a negative relationship with the OSAS severity indicators, such as the apnea/hypopnea index, the desaturation index (r=-0.7603, p=0.000 and r=-0.4601, p=0.012, respectively).

Our results show a decrease in anti-aging klotho protein levels in patients with OSAS, which is a precipitating factor for premature aging. The klotho protein's positive correlation with sleep patterns and its negative relationship with the main trigger mechanism, intermittent hypoxia, demonstrates the role of OSAS in early and accelerated cellular aging.