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Inflammation may contribute to upper airway pathophysiology in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Our objective was to compare upper airway pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, oxidative stress and connective tissue deposition in severe (n = 25) versus mild (n = 17) OSA patients.

Upper airway surgical specimens were separated by predominance of either mucosal or muscle tissue. Expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-6, interferon-γ, RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and l-selectin were measured by ribonuclease protection assay. Oxidative stress was assessed via protein carbonyl group detection by immunoblotting. Histochemistry was employed for immunolocalisation of selected cytokines and connective tissue morphometry.

In the severe OSA group, expression of IL-1α, IL-6 and TGF-β was significantly higher in mucosa …