Changes and implications of plasma ghrelin level in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome associated with metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Objective To investigate the significance of ghrelin level in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) associated with metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods Ghrelin level was measured in OSAHS group, MS group, OSAHS plus MS group,control group, before and after continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP) treatment in OSAHS plus MS group respectively,and differences between each two groups were investigated. Results Ghrelin levels in mild OSAHS group(7cases) [(56.41±3.99) ng/L], moderate OSA HS group( 10 cases) [(55.09±5.25 ) ng/L], sever OSAHS group( 19 cases) [ ( 56.28 ±4.99) ng/LJ,MS group (20 cases)[(55.91±5.37) ng/L],OSAHS plus MS group (14 cases)I(52. 74± 2.68) ng/L] were lower than that in control group (20 cases)[(55.91 ± 5.37) ng/L] respectively( P 0.05),but there was no significant difference between the OSAHS group and MS group. Baseline plasma ghrelin levels in OSAHS plus MS group (14 cases)I(52. 744±2.68) ng/L] did not change significantly from the level [(54.34 ±3.11) ng/L] after one week of CPAP treatment. Conclusions OSAHS and MS are both pro-inflammatory states,and their plasma ghrelin levels are both lower than that of control group. Ghrelin may play a role in the development of OSAHS and MS. Key words: Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome; Metabolic syndrome; Continuous positive airway pressure; Ghrelin