Effects of continuous positive airway pressure on exhaled transforming growth factor-? and vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

ABSTRACT: Background:Both transforming growth factor ? (TGF-?) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are master regulators of airway remodeling; however, their pathological roles in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression of TGF-? and VEGF protein in the serum and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) before and after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment in OSA patients. Methods:Forty patients with moderate to severe OSA requiring CPAP and 20 healthy subjects were prospectively recruited. The concentrations of TGF-? and VEGF protein in the serum and EBC were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All OSA patients underwent a sleep study that was repeated 3 months after receiving CPAP therapy. Results:Protein concentrations of TGF-? and VEGF in the serum did not differ between healthy controls and OSA patients before CPAP treatment. There was also no difference in the serum protein concentrations of TGF-? and VEGF of the OSA patients before and after CPAP treatment. However, both the TGF-? and VEGF protein concentrations in the EBC were higher in the OSA patients than those in control subjects, and recovered to normal levels after CPAP. Conclusions:Successful treatment of OSA by CPAP can restore the TGF-? and VEGF protein concentrations in the EBC.

SUBMITTER: Lin CC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7138982 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature