Endothelin-1 plasma levels are not elevated in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea

Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor, is released mainly by vascular endothelial cells under the influence of hypoxia and other stimuli. ET-1 is related to endothelial dysfunction, as well as arterial and pulmonary hypertension, all of which are thought to be associated with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). This study evaluated venous plasma concentrations of ET-1 and noradrenaline and 24-h systemic blood pressure in 29 patients with OSA (age=56.9+/-1.6 yrs; body mass index=29.5+/-0.7 kg x m2 (mean+/-SEM)). Blood samples were taken in the morning, evening and during sleep. In the same way, the patients were assessed during a night of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and after 13.9+/-1.4 months while still on CPAP. ET-1 levels were compared to those of control subjects, who were selected from in- and outpatients and were matched to patients for age, sex, presence of arterial hypertension and coronary artery disease. ET-1 plasma levels were not elevated in the patients compared to the controls (41.6+/-2.2 and 44.9+/-1.3 pg x mL(-1), respectively, p=0.20). The ET-1 concentration did not change significantly, neither during sleep nor in the first night on CPAP therapy, nor under long-term treatment with CPAP. ET-1 neither correlated to the severity of OSA nor to that of systemic hypertension. The results suggest that endothelin-1 does not play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnoea.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. Parati, C. Lombardi, and K. Narkiewicz Sleep apnea: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and relation to cardiovascular risk Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, October 1, 2007; 293(4): R1671 - R1683. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Gujic, A. Houssiere, O. Xhaet, J.-F. Argacha, N. Denewet, A. Noseda, P. Jespers, C. Melot, R. Naeije, and P. van de Borne Does Endothelin Play a Role in Chemoreception During Acute Hypoxia in Normal Men? Chest, May 1, 2007; 131(5): 1467 - 1472. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. T. McNicholas, M. R. Bonsignore, and the Management Committee of EU COST ACTION B26 Sleep apnoea as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease: current evidence, basic mechanisms and research priorities Eur. Respir. J., January 1, 2007; 29(1): 156 - 178. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. E. Foster, M. J. Poulin, and P. J. Hanly Sleep Apnoea & Hypertension: Physiological bases for a causal relation: Intermittent hypoxia and vascular function: implications for obstructive sleep apnoea Exp Physiol, January 1, 2007; 92(1): 51 - 65. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Shivalkar, C. Van De Heyning, M. Kerremans, D. Rinkevich, J. Verbraecken, W. De Backer, and C. Vrints Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: More Insights on Structural and Functional Cardiac Alterations, and the Effects of Treatment With Continuous Positive Airway Pressure J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., April 4, 2006; 47(7): 1433 - 1439. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. J. Mills, B. P. Kennedy, J. S. Loredo, J. E. Dimsdale, and M. G. Ziegler Effects of nasal continuous positive airway pressure and oxygen supplementation on norepinephrine kinetics and cardiovascular responses in obstructive sleep apnea J Appl Physiol, January 1, 2006; 100(1): 343 - 348. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. S. T. LEUNG and T. DOUGLAS BRADLEY Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., December 15, 2001; 164(12): 2147 - 2165. [Full Text] [PDF]

				Z. Tahawi, N. Orolinova, I. G. Joshua, M. Bader, and E. C. Fletcher Physiological and Genomic Consequences of Intermittent Hypoxia: Selected Contribution: Altered vascular reactivity in arterioles of chronic intermittent hypoxic rats J Appl Physiol, May 1, 2001; 90(5): 2007 - 2013. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. L. Kanagy, B. R. Walker, and L. D. Nelin Role of Endothelin in Intermittent Hypoxia-Induced Hypertension Hypertension, February 1, 2001; 37(2): 511 - 515. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]