The levels and meaning of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in serum and exhaled breath condensate of patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome

Objective To explore the relation between the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in serum and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).Methods Thirty patients with mild OSAHS (mild OSAHS group),sixty-eight patients with middle-severe OSAHS (middle-severe OSAHS group),and twenty-two healthy adults (control group) were collected,the levels of MMP-2 in their serum and EBC were detected with ELISA.They were detected again in the forty patients from the middle-severe group after treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for 1 month.Results In the mild and middle-severe OSAHS groups the levels of MMP-2 in serum and EBC were significantly higher than those of the control group.there was a significant decrease in the 40 patients from the middle-severe OSAHS group after treated with CPAP for 1 month (t =2.369,2.512,P ＜0.05).Conclusions The levels of MMP-2 in serum and EBC of patients with OSAHS was higher,it may be involved with OSAHS. Key words: Obstructive sleep apnea-hyperpnoea syndrome;  Serum;  Exhaled breath condensate; Matrix metalloproteinase-2