The Influence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome on the Levels of Proinflammatory and Profibrotic Cytokines in Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the connection between plasma levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), soluble ICAM-1 и Е-selectin (sICAM-1 и sЕ-selectin) and features of esophageal mucosa damage in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Materials and methods. 120 patients have been examined. Patients were undergone esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy of the lower third of the esophagus with further histological study, somnological investigation. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was provided in 80 patients for detection of studied cytokines in blood plasma. Results. High concentrations of TGF-β1 (р = 0,002), sICAM-1 (р = 0,009) and sЕ-selectin (p = 0,041) were obtained in patients with GERD and OSAHS in contrast with comparison group. Positive correlation between apnea/hypopnea index and plasma levels TGF-β1 (r = 0,4, р < 0,05), sICAM-1 (r = 0,42, р < 0,05) and sЕ-selectin (r = 0,32, р < 0,05) were revealed. Conclusion. Patients with GERD and OSAHS are characterized by high levels of TGF-β1, sICAM-1 и sЕ-selectin in plasma, which may accompanied by the development of sclerotic changes and microangiopathy in esophageal mucosa in this group of patients.