Effect of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty on endothelial function in obstructive sleep apnea.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluates the effects of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) on serum levels of nitric oxide derivatives (NO(x)) and endothelial function by endothelium dependent flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Fifteen healthy subjects and 30 subjects with moderately severe to severe OSAS who desired UPPP were prospectively enrolled. FMD was measured by high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography; serum level of NO(x) from peripheral blood samples was also measured. All subjects participated in sleep studies. These studies were repeated 3 months after UPPP in OSAS patients.


RESULTS
For healthy patients, there was no difference in serum level of NO(x) and FMD between baseline and 3 months later. The serum levels of NO(x) in 14 of 30 patients with OSAS - designated surgical responders - increased from 13.9 +/- 5.5 microM preoperation to 28.9 +/- 8.2 microM postoperatively. FMD increased from 5.2 +/- 5.0 preoperatively to 10.0 +/- 4.7 postoperatively. For the 16 unresponsive patients, serum NOx and FMD remained impaired after UPPP.


CONCLUSIONS
Successful treatment of OSAS with UPPP leads to restoration of FMD and normal serum levels of NO(x).
Lee
Mei-Yu
MY
Department of Nursing, Mackay Medicine, Nursing and Management College, Taipei, Taiwan.
Lin
Ching-Chi
CC
Lee
Kuo-Sheng
KS
Wang
Ying-Piao
YP
Liaw
Shwu-Fang
SF
Chiu
Chung-Hsin
CH
Wu
Kun-Ming
KM
D000328:Adult; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood*; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D010159:Palate / Q000601:surgery; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery; D017286:Polysomnography; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D014609:Uvula / Q000601:surgery
D009569:Nitric Oxide