Resistin Levels in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome--the Link to Subclinical Inflammation?

Background: The role of resistin, a "new" white adipose tissue hormone, still needs to be established. Its linkage to insulin sensitivity and body mass was controversial in previous studies.

Material/methods: Twenty obese patients (BMI: 32.1+/-6.9 kg/m2 ) with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) (Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index: 48.6+/-19.1, underwent measurements of resistin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), CRP and the insulin sensitivity index (ISI) by hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp before, 2 days and 2 months after onset of CPAP treatment.

Results: Resistin remained unchanged during CPAP-therapy and was negatively correlated to ISI (r=-0.359; p=0.006), the latter was significantly improved by CPAP (p<0.001). In a correlation matrix, IL-6 and ICAM-1 were significantly (p=0.001) correlated to resistin (p=0.614 and 0.427). Changes of inflammatory markers under CPAP treatment were related to AHI, as well as resistin changes.

Conclusions: In agreement with previous investigations, we could only demonstrate a weak linkage between ISI and resistin. However, at least in obese patients with OSAS, there is a close relation to subclinical inflammation (IL-6) and endothelial activation (ICAM-1).