Reduced levels of adiponectin in sleep apnea syndrome

Background: To investigate adiponectin levels in an obese population with and without obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and the acute modifications in adiponectin after a whole-night control by auto continuous positive air pressure (CPAP). Methods: 46 obese subjects [22 males, 24 females, age 55.1 +/- 11.4 yr, body mass index (BMI) 38.9 +/- 6.5.kg/m(2)]: 11 OSAS with apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) from 10/h to 30/h, 14 OSAS with AHI > 30/h and 21 without OSAS. Thirty-seven normal weight healthy subjects (20 males, 17 females, age 31.3 +/- 9.5 yr, BMI 21.5 +/- 1.8 kg/m(2)). Serum adiponectin levels, biochemical parameters, anthropometric measurements, pulmonary function, pulse-oxymetry and polisomnography. Results: The 3 groups of obese patients were comparable for gender, BMI, age, fat mass, fat free mass, hip and waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure and glycometabolic parameters. Adiponectin levels were significantly reduced in obese patients compared to healthy normal weight subjects (8.1 +/- 3.5 vs 11.3 +/- 4.8 mu g/ml p < 0.001) In particular, adiponectin showed a trend to decrease according to the severity of OSAS. No differences in adiponectin levels were found after a whole-night control by Auto CPAP Conclusions: OSAS is associated with reduced levels of adiponectin independently of insulin-resistance and BMI. These low adiponectin levels may contribute to the increased mortality seen in such patients.