XOR Levels in OSA Patients (XOR-OSA)

Overview

The level of xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) in plasma is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is characterized by repeated upper airway obstruction and apneas during sleep, leading to chronic intermittent hypoxemia. The specific role of XOR in OSA, its relationship with the severity of OSA, and the changes in XOR levels before and after CPAP treatment remain unclear. The study will enroll 80 patients from the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, categorized by their Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) into mild, moderate, and severe OSA groups. Participants will undergo baseline assessments including polysomnography (PSG) and measurements of XOR activity and biomarkers such as uric acid, endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and inflammatory markers. Eligible patients will receive CPAP treatment for 3 months, after which their XOR activity and biomarker levels will be re-evaluated to assess treatment efficacy.

Xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) is an enzyme involved in the oxidative metabolism of purines, producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) as byproducts. Elevated XOR activity is associated with increased oxidative stress and inflammation. In patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea(OSA), repeated episodes of hypoxia and reoxygenation lead to oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. However, the specific changes in XOR activity in OSA patients are not well understood. This study aims to evaluate the effects of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment on patients with OSA by analyzing XOR activity and related biomarkers. The primary objective is to assess the correlation between XOR activity levels and the severity of OSA, and to determine how these levels change following a 3-month CPAP intervention. The study will enroll 80 patients aged 18-80 years from the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Participants will be diagnosed with OSA according to established guidelines, and must be first-time visitors with no prior OSA surgery or CPAP treatment history. Patients with severe cerebrovascular diseases, psychiatric conditions, diagnosed diabetes with significant vascular complications, severe COPD, pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, or pregnancy will be excluded. All participants will undergo polysomnography (PSG) to determine the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) and categorize them into mild, moderate, or severe OSA groups. Blood samples will be collected to measure baseline XOR activity and related biomarkers, including uric acid, endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), and angiotensin II (Ang II). Eligible patients will receive CPAP therapy for a duration of 3 months. Patients unsuitable for CPAP therapy will receive alternative treatments such as upper airway surgery, oral appliances, or weight reduction programs. After 3 months of CPAP therapy, participants will undergo follow-up PSG to reassess sleep parameters. Blood samples will be collected again to measure changes in XOR activity and related biomarkers. The data collected will be analyzed using SPSS software. Correlation analysis will be performed to assess the relationship between AHI, lowest SpO2, oxygen load, blood pressure load, ESS sleepiness scores, and XOR levels. Paired t-tests will be used to compare pre- and post-treatment XOR activity and biomarker levels. Repeated measures ANOVA will be conducted to evaluate the long-term changes and sustained effects of CPAP therapy. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the biochemical impacts of CPAP therapy on patients with OSAHS. The findings are expected to identify potential biomarkers for assessing treatment efficacy and to guide future therapeutic strategies, ultimately improving patient outcomes in clinical practice.