The activated pathways by hypoxia in patients with Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome / 实用医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the activation of nuclear factor-B (NF-B)and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1)in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Methods Subjects were classified into mild-to-moderate OSHAS group (n = 16), severe OSAHS group (n = 14) and the matched control group (n=30). Gene and protein expressions of NF-B and HIF-1 were measured by RT-PCR, Western blot in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Results NF-κB p65 mRNA and NF-κB p65 protein,HIF-1α mRNA and HIF-1α protein in PBMC were significantly higher in severe OSAHS group than those in mild–to-moderate group and control group (P<0.01). But there were no significant difference in NF-κB p65 mRNA and NF-κB p65 protein between mild-to-moderate group and control group (P=0.068, P=0.254 respectively). Only gene (P<0.05) not the protein (P=0.777) of HIF-1αwas higher in mild-to-moderate as compared with control group. Both NF-κB p65 mRNA and HIF-1αmRNA were positively correlated with AHI (r=0.493, P=0.006, r=0.508, P=0.004), while negatively correlated with nighttime lowest blood oxygen saturation (LSaO2)(r=-0.488, P=0.006, r=-0.46, P=0.011). There was a positive correlation between NF-κB p65 protein level and AHI (r=0.669, P<0.001). HIF-1αprotein level was positively correlated with AHI, ODI (r=0.628, P=0.001;r=0.480, P=0.018). There were positive correlations between NF-κBp65mRNA and HIF-1αmRNA (r=0.543, P=0.002), NF-κBp65 and HIF-1αprotein respectively (r=0.716, P<0.001). Conclusions As the gene and protein of NF-κB and HIF-1 were up-regulated in patients with OSAHS, and also positively correlated with the severity of sickness. We conclude that both NF-κB and HIF-1 were involed in the pathogenesis of OSAHS.