title: Calprotectin: a protein related to cardiovascular risk in adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Increased levels of inflammatory mediators, such as hs-CRP, have been detected in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and used as cardiovascular risk and disease outcome predictors. Calprotectin is an inflammatory marker regulating atherogenic processes not investigated in adult OSA patients. The aim of the present study as primary objective was to examine the role of calprotectin as an inflammatory molecule, acting through a distinct pathway to the atherogenic process in adult OSA patients and its associations with hs-CRP and the lipidemic profile of the patients. As a secondary objective was the evaluation of the atherogenic markers post-CPAP treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-four participants underwent full overnight polysomnography. Blood samples were collected for calprotectin, hs-CRP, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL and glucose levels. Thirty-two OSA patients were reexamined 6 months post-CPAP treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 74 participants included in the study, 33 had moderate OSA, 27 had severe OSA and 14 were controls. Calprotectin and hs-CRP were significantly increased in patients with moderate and severe OSA compared to controls (p<0.0001). Calprotectin and hs-CRP levels were positively correlated with apnea-hypopnea index, BMI and total time of sleep with SaO(2)<90% and inversely correlated with SaO(2) minimum and mean values. Calprotectin and hs-CRP levels were significantly improved post-CPAP treatment (p<0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Calprotectin may serve as a novel and reliable, biomarker of cardiovascular risk severity in OSA patients. The decrease of calprotectin levels post-CPAP treatment combined with hs-CRP amelioration could provide evidence for reduction of cardiovascular risk post CPAP treatment.
authors: First Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Sotiria Chest Diseases Hospital, Athens, Greece. kg.cholidou@yahoo.gr
authors: Kyriaki G
authors: KG
authors: Cholidou
authors: Ioannis D
authors: ID
authors: Kostakis
authors: Effrosyni D
authors: ED
authors: Manali
authors: Despina
authors: D
authors: Perrea
authors: Alexandra
authors: A
authors: Margeli
authors: Konstantinos
authors: K
authors: Vougas
authors: Evangelos
authors: E
authors: Markozannes
authors: Nikolaos
authors: N
authors: Koulouris
authors: Manos
authors: M
authors: Alchanatis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D006801:Humans; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex / Q000097:blood*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D017286:Polysomnography; D012307:Risk Factors; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D013147:Spirometry; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; D008055:Lipids; D002097:C-Reactive Protein