OBJECTIVE

To explore the role of adhesion molecules in the pathogenesis of hypertension in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

METHODS

The levels of serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and L-selectin in 30 OSAHS patients accompanied by hypertension, 30 normotensive OSAHS patients and 30 healthy controls were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The relationship of the concentration of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and L-selectin with the polysomnogram (PSG) parameters was analyzed.

RESULTS

The levels of serum soluble ICAM-1 [(601 +/- 406) microg/L, (513 +/- 244) microg/L, respectively] and VCAM-1 [(578 +/- 176) microg/L, (480 +/- 144) microg/L, respectively] were significantly higher in OSAHS accompanied by hypertension and normotensive OSAHS than those in the healthy controls [(355 +/- 119) microg/L, (310 +/- 163) microg/L, q = 4.78, 3.07; 9.09, 5.76, P < 0.01, respectively]. But the levels of serum L-selectin was not significantly different among the three groups (P > 0.05). The levels of serum VCAM-1 were significantly higher in OSAHS accompanied by hypertension than those in the normotensive OSAHS (q = 3.32, P < 0.05). The was not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was a significantly positive correlation between the concentration of ICAM-1 and the apnea hyponea index (AHI) as well as microarousal index in all the 60 OSAHS patients with and without hypertension (r = 0.465, P < 0.01, r = 0.226, P < 0.05). There was a significantly negative correlation between the concentration of ICAM-1 and the lowest oxygen desaturation in all the 60 OSAHS patients with and without hypertension (r = -0.368, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The high level of serum VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 is an important risk factor for the development of hypertension in OSAHS patients.