Coexistence of obstructive sleep apnea and telomerase activity, concentration of selected adipose tissue hormones and vascular endothelial function in patients with arterial hypertension.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with hypertension on telomerase activity, visfatin and adipsine concentration in the blood and vascular endothelial function assessed by ultrasound measured flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery (FMD).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved a group of 106 people (average age: 54.79 years). The determination of telomerase activity and blood visfatin and adipsine concentrations, brachial artery ultrasound examination with endothelium-dependent dilatation evaluation (FMD) and polysomnography were carried out.

RESULTS: Patients with hypertension without OSA were characterized by significantly greater FMD in comparison to patients with arterial hypertension and OSA (8.13 ± 5.12 %vs. 6.82 ± 5.36%; p < 0.05). Negative linear relationship between apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and FMD (r = -0.22, p < 0.05) has been demonstrated. Negative linear relationship between adipsine concentration in the blood and length of REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep (r = -0.21, p < 0.05) was found. Positive linear relationship between the concentration of visfatin in the blood and the length of REM sleep (r = 0.22, p < 0.05) was also observed. Higher body mass index, higher total cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose levels have been shown to be independent predictors of higher AHI values, while greater telomerase activity, greater FMD and use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors are independent predicators for lower AHI values.

CONCLUSION: Higher values of AHI index in polysomnography in hypertensive patients can be related to lower telomerase activity in the blood and impaired function of vascular endothelial function assessed using ultrasound.