title: Effect of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty on endothelial function in obstructive sleep apnea.
abstract: 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).
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Mackay Medicine, Nursing and Management College, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Mei-Yu
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ching-Chi
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Kuo-Sheng
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ying-Piao
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shwu-Fang
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Liaw
authors.forename: Chung-Hsin
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Kun-Ming
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide