Objective: To study the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and free fatty acids (FFA) in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS) patients. And the relativity among the serum level of MMP-9, FFA, four factors of blood lipids,hypopnea index (AHI), minimum oxygen saturation, body mass index (BMI) in OSAHS patients.
Method: Fifty cases diagnosed of OSAHS,with integral clinical data in our department, were enrolled in the research. Fifty cases were selected as control group by the sleepiness scale score and the exclusion of the physical examination OSAHS. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) of the body mass index (BMI) and age in the two groups. Two fasting venous blood samples of 3 ml were taken from every object in the morning wake from sleep monitoring and kept at room temperature for 30 min. The samples were sent to the laboratory to test the four factors of blood lipid and the FFA by colorimetric determination. Another fasting venous blood samples of 3 ml was preserved in refrigerator at -75 degrees C, used for serum MMP-9 test with Enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). SPSS 13.0 statistical software was used for all relevant data processing and analysis.
Result: Serum levels of MMP-9 and FFA in severe OSAHS cases were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.01). Serum four factors of blood lipids level of severe OSAHS was a little higher(P < 0.05) than those in control group. There were a close relationship among serum FFA and TG, LSaO2 , BMI and AHI in severe O()SAHS patients. Serum FFA level was positively related with TG, BMI and AHI and negatively related with LSaO2. There were also a close relationship among serum MMP-9 and FFA, LSaO2 and AHI. The serum MMP-9 was positively related with FFA and AHI and negatively related with LSaO2. There was a positive linear correlation between serum FFA concentration and MMP-9 concentration in severe OSAHS cases.
Conclusion: The higher risk of endocrinopathy and cardiovascular diseases were happened in OSAHS patients. The higher expression of both MMP-9 and FFA in OSAHS cases suggested a higher risk than that of the single high expression of them.