Abstract
(Objectives) To assess changes in pre- and post-operative serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels in surgically-treated patients with a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).
(Subjects and Methods) The study population comprised 27 patients who were surgically treated with a diagnosis of OSAS, 7 patients who had no OSAS and were surgically treated for non-OSAS disorders, and 4 healthy volunteers. Blood samples were collected from these groups of subjects prior to operation and around 7 days post-operation, and serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were determined using ELISA kits.
(Results) There was a significant difference in preoperative serum IL-6 levels between the OSAS group and the healthy volunteer group. Both the OSAS group and the non-OSAS group exhibited a significant increase in this parameter postoperatively, compared to their respective preoperative values. A significant difference in preoperative serum TNF-α value was observed between the OSAS group and the healthy volunteer group. The OSAS group displayed a significant decrease in serum TNF-α postoperatively as compared with the preoperative value. When compared in terms of apnea index, there was a significant difference in preoperative serum IL-6 level between the OSAS group and the healthy volunteer group. Postoperatively, a significant increase in this parameter was noted for the OSAS group, compared to the preoperative value. The preoperative serum TNF-α value differed significantly between the mild OSAS sub group and the healthy volunteer group. Following the operation, the severe OSAS subgroup showed a significantly lower TNF-α value than the preoperative value.
(Conclusion) Our findings indicated differences in the trends of pre- and post-operative serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels in OSAS patients. The degree of surgical intervention might possibly account for the differences while inflammatory reactions associated with reperfusion of the ischemic region also appear likely to be involved.
