Immunohistochemical evaluation of inflammatorychanges in soft palate and tongue base in patientswith multilevel obstructive sleep apnea

ABSTRACT

To asses the presence of inflammatory celP infilteration in the mucosa and musculature of the soft palate and tongue base in patients with multilevel obstructive sleep apnea. Biopsies were obtained from the soft palate mucosa and muscle and from the tongue base muscle of 21 patients with multilevel obstructive sleep apnea operated by uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and modified genioglossus advancement [16 men, 5 women; age range, 27-54 years] and from 10 control non smoker non snoring subjects. Specimens were examined for the expression of CD45, CD4, CDS and CD la markers using immunohistochemistry technique. Inflammatory cell infilteration in the obstructive Sleep apnea group are compared to those in control group. CD45 and CD4 markers expression were found to be significant in the mucosa and muscle of soft palate and in the muscle of tongue base. Significant expression of CDS marker was present only in the mucosa of soft palate but not in the musculature of soft palate or tongue base.CDla marker was not found to be significant in any of the specimens. The mucosa and muscle of the soft palate and the muscles of the tongue base showed prominent inflammatory cellular infiltration mainly in the form of T lymphocytes in patients with multilevel obstructive sleep apnea. These inflammatory cell infiltrations may play a role in the pathogenesis of Obstructive sleep apnea with reteopalatal and retroglossal airway collapse.The authors do not have any financial interest or any other conflict of interests