Koenig J S, Thach B T
Edward Mallinckrodt Department of Pediatrics, Washington University and Children's Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri 63110.
J Appl Physiol (1985). 1988 Jun;64(6):2294-9. doi: 10.1152/jappl.1988.64.6.2294.
To learn how increased cervical adipose tissue might affect upper airway function, we studied effects of mass loading on upper airway dimensions, stability, and resistance. Eight rabbits were studied (anesthetized and postmortem) using lard-filled bags to simulate cervical fat accumulation. Additionally, a handheld device was used to apply measured loads at localized sites along the airway. Upper airway resistance and closing pressure (a reflection of airway stability) were determined before and after loading. Endoscopy revealed concentric narrowing of the pharynx during loading in anesthetized and postmortem preparations. Upper airway resistance was increased by mass loads, with larger loads having greater effects. Loading caused decreased airway stability as reflected by closing pressures. The area over the thyrohyoid membrane was more vulnerable to mass loading than adjacent areas. Because mass loading of the upper airway causes changes in its configuration and function similar to those seen in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA), we speculate that such loading may contribute to the pathogenesis of OSA associated with obesity.
为了解增加的颈部脂肪组织如何影响上气道功能，我们研究了质量负荷对上气道尺寸、稳定性和阻力的影响。我们使用填充猪油的袋子模拟颈部脂肪堆积，对8只兔子（麻醉状态和死后）进行了研究。此外，还使用了一种手持设备在气道沿线的局部部位施加测量的负荷。在加载前后测定上气道阻力和闭合压力（气道稳定性的一种反映）。内窥镜检查显示，在麻醉和死后准备状态下加载过程中咽部呈同心性狭窄。质量负荷增加了上气道阻力，负荷越大影响越大。如闭合压力所示，加载导致气道稳定性下降。甲状舌骨膜上方区域比相邻区域更容易受到质量负荷的影响。由于上气道的质量负荷会导致其结构和功能发生与阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征（OSA）中所见类似的变化，我们推测这种负荷可能有助于与肥胖相关的OSA的发病机制。
