Plasma Levels of MCP-1 and Adiponectin in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Objectives: To evaluate the correlation between concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokines monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), adiponectin, interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Repeated apnea attacks in patients with OSAS constitute a hypoxic condition, which induces tissue inflammation by mediation of these proinflammatory cytokines. Design: Radioimmunoassay analyses of nonrandomized controlled trial. Setting: University-affiliated tertiary care hospital. Patients: The study population comprised 59 patients who underwent the polysomnography. Main Outcome Measures: Serum concentrations of MCP-1, adiponectin, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF, as well as body mass index and polysomnographic data, including apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and lowest oxygen saturation. Results: The mean (SD) plasma level of MCP-1 in serum was increased in all patients with OSAS (P<.001), while adiponectin level was decreased in the patients with severe OSAS (6.88 [1.78] mu g/mL) compared with normal controls (8.90 [2.63] mu g/mL) (P=.006). Serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF did not exhibit any differences between patients with OSAS and normal controls. The correlation coefficient between plasma MCP-1 level and AHI was 0.62 and between adiponectin level and AHI was 0.66. Conclusions: Our results suggest that plasma MCP-1 and adiponectin levels were different between patients with OSAS and normal controls. Adiponectin and MCP-1 may be prognostic factors for comparing patients with OSAS before and after treatment.