We recently demonstrated that patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) carrying the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) A allele had increased circulating TNF-α levels compared with the ones carrying the TNF-α G allele. In the current study, we addressed the effect of TNF-α (-308G/A) gene polymorphism on circulating TNF-α levels following continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.

This study was a secondary analysis of the RICCADSA trial (NCT00519597) conducted in Sweden. CAD patients with OSA (apnea-hypopnea index) of ≥15 events/h and an Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score of <10 were randomized to CPAP or no-CPAP groups, and OSA patients with an ESS score of ≥10 were offered CPAP treatment. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and 12-month follow-up visits. TNF-α was measured by immunoassay (Luminex, R&D Systems). Genotyping of TNF-α-308G/A (single nucleotide polymorphism Rs1800629) was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.

In all, 239 participants (206 men and 33 women; mean age 64.9 (SD 7.7) years) with polymorphism data and circulating levels of TNF-α at baseline and 1-year follow-up visits were included. The median circulating TNF-α values fell in both groups between baseline and 12 months with no significant within- or between-group differences. In a multivariate linear regression model, a significant change in circulating TNF-α levels from baseline across the genotypes from GA to GA and GA to AA (standardized β-coefficient -0.129, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.82; -0.12; p = 0.025) was observed in the entire cohort. The association was more pronounced among the individuals who were using the device for at least 4 h/night (n = 86; standardized β-coefficient -2.979 (95% CI -6.11; -1.21); p = 0.004)), whereas no significant association was found among the patients who were non-adherent or randomized to no-CPAP. The participants carrying the TNF-α A allele were less responsive to CPAP treatment regarding the decline in circulating TNF-α despite CPAP adherence (standardized β-coefficient -0.212, (95% CI -5.66; -1.01); p = 0.005).

Our results suggest that TNF-α (-308G/A) gene polymorphism is associated with changes in circulating TNF-α levels in response to CPAP treatment in adults with CAD and OSA.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is strongly associated with sleep apnea syndrome (SAS). Many NAFLD patients have SAS, and obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome is also considered to be an independent risk factor for NAFLD, as it contributes to the progression of NAFLD via oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, inflammation, and insulin resistance. This review aims to provide some recommendations for the management of NAFLD patients with SAS, including diet, exercise, weight loss, and continuous positive airway pressure. This review also highlights the importance of effective strategies in NAFLD prevention and treatment.

Asian Indian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have a high cardiovascular risk even at young age. There is a need to assess this increased risk and identify atherosclerosis early so that appropriate measures for risk reduction can be taken. We aimed to study carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (Cf-PWV), a non-invasive indicator of atherosclerosis, in patients with diabetes below 50 years of age and its correlation with markers of obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors.

Patients (n, 299) with T2DM below 50 years of age underwent measurement of Cf-PWV by applanation tonometry. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, liver span, glycosylated hemoglobin, serum lipid profile, urinary microalbumin, ankle brachial index and carotid intima media thickness were measured.

Data show that 32.4% of patients had high Cf-PWV, with mean values higher in males than females. On stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, the significant independent determinants of PWV were age, systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, microalbumin and liver span.

About one third patients with T2DM less than 50 years of age, in north India have increased arterial stiffness which correlates with blood pressure, abdominal obesity, liver size and microalbumin, indicating increased risk for coronary artery disease.