Exploring the Role of Adipocyte Fatty Acid Binding Protein in the Association of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Metabolic Dysfunction
Exploring the Role of Adipocyte Fatty Acid Binding Protein in the Association of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Metabolic Dysfunction
Adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) is a member of the FABP super family, is
 abundant in adipocytes and macrophages. Regulatory functions of A-FABP in lipid and glucose
 metabolism have been described, and it is suggested to play an important role in the
 pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome.We hypothesize that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may
 upregulate A-FABP production and thus causally contribute to metabolic dysfunction. Our group
 has recently demonstrated that A-FABP, expressed and secreted from adipocytes, is present in
 the blood stream .The levels of A-FABP correlated with various metabolic variates in the
 metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, we have obtained novel data in men with a range of sleep
 disordered breathing showed that the duration of oxygen desaturation correlated with
 circulating levels of A-FABP, independent of age and waist/body mass index. The current
 proposal aims to pursue this finding and further explore the role of A-FABP in the
 association of OSA and metabolic dysfunction.
We hypothesize that there are changes in circulating A-FABP level which can be mitigated by
 effective treatment of OSA.

 The aim is to investigate the effect of CPAP treatment of OSA on circulating A-FABP, and
 other metabolic biomarkers and cardiovascular parameters
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Subjects between 18 - 65 years old

 -  Able to understand and give informed written consent

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  BMI > 35 kg/m2, and features of obesity hypoventilation syndrome

 -  known diabetes mellitus or hyperlipidemia on treatment

 -  known cardiovascular disease except hypertension stable on treatment

 -  unstable medical illness

 -  need for starting treatment for OSA or other medical conditions immediately