Pulmonary surfactant-associated proteins and inflammatory factors in obstructive sleep apnea

摘要

Abstract Purpose Pulmonary surfactant (PS) plays roles in promoting the removal of the liquid, host defense, and immune regulation in the tracheal, bronchial, and alveoli epithelium. PS protein expression level can be regulated by oxygen levels and related free radicals. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is featured with oxygen free radical production for damaging epithelial tissues and thus may affect PS production. The study was to explore the relationship between PS protein and OSA severity. Methods We collected serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from 35 OSA patients and 22 healthy subjects. PS-associated proteins and inflammatory factors, including surfactant proteins, HIF-1α, NF-κB, and IL-6, were analyzed. Regression analysis was performed to reveal the relationship between biochemical factors and clinical indexes recorded during PSG monitor. Results Lower BALF and surfactant protein (except surfactant protein C or SPC) levels occurred in OSA patients (all p ? 3 and ODI 4 . Similar patterns were found in serum samples, which were strongly correlated with BALF counterparts. Surfactant proteins were further found to have negative regression with inflammatory factors such as HIF-1α, NF-κB, and IL-6. Conclusions This study established the relationship between PS-related protein with severity of OSA, plus their relationship with inflammatory factors. Our results provided possibly novel markers in general circulation for disease evaluation of OSA.