Abstract：Objective: To investigate the influence of continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP）treatment on the serum angiotensin converting enzyme levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS).Methods： Based on apnea hypopnea index(AHI) measured by polysomnography, 43 patients were diagnosed as OSAS(OSAS group) and enrolled in this study. The serum ACE levels of OSAS group were measured and compared with the subjects without OSAS(normal groups). In patients with OSAS, the relationship between levels of ACE and AHI were analyzed. Results： Compared with normal group［(38.95±21.83） U/L］, serum ACE levels in OSAS group［(23.35±15.62） U/L，P<0.05］ were significantly reduced before CPAP treatment. In OSAS group, serum ACE level after CPAP treatment［(24.55±14.89） U/L］ was similar to those before CPAP treatment(P>0.05). No relationship was observed in OSAS group between the ACE levels and AHI levels. Conclusion： The serum ACE levels in OSAS group was significantly higher than in normal group. The CPAP treatment cannot change the ACE level in OSAS patients. The serum ACE levels were not correlated with the AHI levels in OSAS patients.
2012, Vol. 22 
