Obstructive Sleep Apnea-induced Changes in Adipose and Liver Tissue and Effects of Massive Weight Loss on Inflammation

UPDATED May 2016:

Originally the study design included investigation of the effects of the bioactive compound resveratrol compared to placebo tablets and to CPAP treatment. Due to fewer subjects having OSA than estimated by pre-study and, therefore, difficulties in the recruiting process the investigators have found it necessary to descale the study design. Hence, we have discontinued the resveratrol and CPAP intervention and will focus on the cross-sectional investigation of metabolic changes in subjects with and without OSA and the effect of weight loss after bariatric surgery on inflammation, OSA severity, metabolism and arterial stiffness.

OSA causes insulin resistance and seems to aggravate obesity related comorbidities such as hypertension, dyslipidemia and increase the risk of development of type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

More mechanisms may be involved in the pathogenesis of these negative effects from OSA but hypoxia-induced low-grade inflammation may play a central role since the levels of inflammatory markers generally are elevated in OSA. The tissues which are responsible for these systemic alterations are not known, however, adipose tissue might be a good candidate since it is known from studies that human adipose tissue can influence systemic inflammation.

Some studies even describe a small but significant anti-inflammatory effect and a beneficial effect on glucose metabolism following CPAP treatment. In addition, weight loss in patients with OSA is known to reduce the severity of or completely eliminate OSA.

The purpose of this study is primarily to investigate:

• the metabolic changes in adipose and liver tissue induced by OSA in order to better understand how OSA negatively affects whole-body metabolism
• the effect of weight loss after bariatric surgery on systemic inflammation, metabolism and the severity of OSA

24 subjects scheduled to undergo bariatric surgery will be recruited. They will all be screened for OSA. 12 subjects without OSA and 12 subjects with OSA will be included and examined before surgery and 6 months post-surgery.

The investigators will look at changes in:

• Inflammation-markers
• Biochemical markers of fat and sugar-metabolism
• Gene-expression in adipose and liver-tissue
• Severity of OSA
• Pulse-wave velocity

Inclusion criteria

• Female/Male
• Legally competent (habil)
• 25-65 years old
• BMI > 35 and fulfill criteria for bariatric surgery in Denmark
• Written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Current treatment with CPAP
• Permanent treatment with glucocorticoids, NSAID or sleeping pills (otherwise discontinued for 1 week prior to inclusion)
• Severe heart, liver, kidney or lung disease
• Type 1 diabetes
• Work in transportation-related industry
• Pregnancy
• Substance abuse problem