Effect of NF-κB on Vascular Injury in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To explore the effect of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) on vascular injury in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Methods: 51 OSAHS patients were enrolled in this study. According to apnea hypopnea index, patients were divided in three groups: Mild (10 cases), moderate (14 cases) and severe OSAHS (27 cases) groups. OSAHS patients who were treated with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) were considered as treatment group (25 cases). Results: The flow-mediated dilation (FMD) level of OSAHS group significantly decreased compared to the control group (p < 0.05), but carotid arterial intima-media thickness (CIMT) level was significantly higher in OSAHS group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, FMD level in the moderate and severe OSAHS groups were lower compared to the control and mild OSAHS groups (p < 0.05). The CIMT level was positively related to the obstruction degree (p < 0.05). Furthermore, NF-κB p65 protein level in the moderate and severe OSAHS groups were higher compared to the control and mild OSAHS groups (p < 0.05). After CPAP treatment, FMD level significantly increased, and CIMT level and NF-κB p65 protein level were lower in the OSAHS group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: NF-κB might be involved in the vascular endothelial injury induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia in patients with OSAHS.