The roles of TNF-α and the soluble TNF receptor I on sleep architecture in OSA

摘要

ObjectivePatients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have been described to have increased levels of inflammatory cytokines (particularly TNF-α) and have severely disturbed sleep architecture. Serum inflammatory markers, even in normal individuals, have been associated with abnormal sleep architecture. Not much is known about the role the TNF receptor plays in the inflammation of OSA nor if it is associated with changes in sleep architecture or arousals during the night. We hypothesized that the TNF receptor might play an important role in the inflammation as well as sleep architecture changes in patients with OSA.