Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2005; 113 - 98
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-862957

Resistin in obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea during the courst of CPAP therapy

IA Harsch 1, H Wallaschofski 1, S Pour Schahin 1, EG Hahn 2, C Koebnick 3, T Lohmann 4
  • 1Med. Klinik I, Endokrinologie und Stoffwechsel, Erlangen
  • 2Med. Klinik I, Erlangen
  • 3Deutsches Institut für Ernährungsforschung, Klinische Studien, Bergholz-Rehbrücke
  • 4Medizinische Klinik Dresden-Neustadt, Dresden

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 and Methods: Twenty obese patients (BMI: 32.1±6.9kg/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).