Aim: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can be associated with the metabolic syndrome. Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) may play a role in OSA. The aim of this study was to determine whether continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment results in decreased serum A-FABP levels.
Subjects and methods: 81 patients (70 males, a mean age of 53.9±10.3 years) were evaluated by polysomnography, diagnosed with OSA and indicated for CPAP treatment. Anthropometric, clinical and laboratory investigations were carried out and repeated after 1 month/ 1 year of CPAP treatment. The data were analyzed using the SPSS Statistics 15 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA).
Results: Patients had significantly decreased A-FABP levels (34.4 ng/ml, 31.2 ng/ml, 24.8 ng/ml, P=0.048, P=0.001) and improved OSA parameters: AHI (53.9, 5.0, 5.6, P<0.0001), mean nocturnal oxygen saturation (91%, 93%, 94%, P<0.0001), ODI (55, 9, 8, P<0.0001), and percentage of sleep time with oxygen saturation below 90% (28.2, 0.2, 0, P<0.0001). BMI, waist, neck circumference, and blood pressure did not statistically significantly change.
Conclusion: CPAP therapy in OSA patients has a positive effect on A-FABP levels. Decreased A-FABP levels play an important role in regulating glucose metabolism and affect the regulation of lipid metabolism and thus may contribute to decrease in the cardiovascular complications of OSA.