The role of antioxidant vitamins and selenium in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of obstruction ofthe upper respiratory tract during sleepoften accompanied by oxygen desaturations. Antioxidant defense mechanisms are important to prevent OSA-associated diseases and decrease mortality. We aimed to determine the levels ofselenium and vitamins A, C, and E in patients withOSA butwithout any comorbidities and compare the results with a control group, theorizing that the findings may be helpful to understand the antioxidant mechanisms in the pathogenesis ofOSA and associated diseases. We designed a case-control study with 146 subjects. Subjects were categorized into four groups by apnea-hypopneaindex (AHI) scores: control (n = 32; AHI < 5), mild OSA (n = 32; 5 ≤ AHI < 15), moderate OSA (n = 34; 15 ≤ AHI < 30), and severe OSA (n = 48; AHI ≥ 30) groups. Serum levels of selenium were measured by atomic absorption spectrometer. Vitamin A, C, and E levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) detector. After adjusting for age, BMI, and gender, serum selenium and vitamin A levels were found to behigher in patients withOSA compared with controls (ANCOVA, p < 0.008, and p = 0.014 respectively), and levels of these markers increased with the severity of the disease. AHI was positively correlated with selenium (r = 0.289; p < 0.001), and vitamin A levels (r = 0.276; p < 0.001). These results demonstrated that antioxidant response with increased vitamin A, and selenium concentrations, may be important defense mechanisms in patients withOSA patientswho do not have other comorbidities. Antioxidant nutrients or supplements may be implemented as a complementary treatment of OSA to support antioxidant defense.