Kanimozhi S¹, Saravanan A¹,
Ravi K²
¹Department of Physiology, SRM Medical College, Hospital & Research Center, Kattankulathur, Kanchipuram District, ²Retired HOD, Department of Physiology, V.P.Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi

Abstract

• Background: Syndrome “Z” refers to the co-occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and metabolic syndrome (MS). We had reported previously that in patients with OSA syndrome (OSAS), oral intake of N­ acetylcysteine (NAC) improved their sleep parameters by decreasing oxidative stress. The present study reports the effect of NAC on some components of MS in these patients.
• Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with symptoms suggestive of OSAS and MS underwent overnight polysomnography for confirmation of diagnosis of OSAS. Subsequently,all patients received either NAC (n=lO, 600 mg thrice daily) or placebo (n=lO) for 30 days. Fasting venous samples were collected and analyzed before and after specific treatments.
• Results: In the NAC group, after the treatment period, compared to their baseline values, there were significant decreases in serum homocysteine, insulin resistance, triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. A significant increase in serum thiol levels as well as a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure was also observed. Such effects were not seen inthe placebo treated group.
• Conclusion: Oral intake of NAC for one month showed therapeutic potential in the 20 patients of syndrome “Z in our study.This can form the base for large multicentric randomized control trials to extrapolate the results to the general population.

Keywords: metabolic syndrome, N-acetylcysteine, oxidative stress, sleep apnea