Journal of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology of Shandong University ›› 2025, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (3): 38-44.doi: 10.6040/j.issn.1673-3770.0.2024.037

• Shanghai Sixth Peoples Hospital Otorhinolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery Department dedicated to “120th Anniversary of the Sixth Hospital” Commemorative Theme • Previous Articles    

Kynurenine mediates liver injury induced by obstructive sleep apnea: a cross-sectional study

WEI Zhicheng, PENG Yu, LI Lilin, SHEN Hangdong, LI Xinyi, XU Huajun, GUAN Jian   

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine / Shanghai Key Laboratory of Sleep Disordered Breathing / Otorhinolaryngology Institute of Shanghai JiaoTong University / Clinical Research Center of Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
  • Published:2025-06-04

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Abstract: Objective Kynurenine is an important product of the tryptophan metabolic pathway, which mediates a variety of pathophysiological activities. This study aims to investigate the relationship between serum kynurenine and the severity of obstructive sleep apnea(OSA)and liver function damage. Methods From January to June 2019, 142 subjects with suspected OSA were selected from 200 subjects who visited the Sleep Center of the Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine due to snoring. Anthropometric data, biochemical indicators, and sleep monitoring data were collected, and serum kynurenine, indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1(IDO1), Alanine Aminotransferase(ALT), and Aspartate Aminotransferase(AST)levels were detected. The correlation and mediating factors between sleep parameters, kynurenine, ALT, and AST, were analyzed and evaluated. Results After adjusting for gender, age, and body mass index(BMI), linear regression analysis revealed that apnea-hypopnea index(AHI), lowest oxygen saturation(LSpO2), oxygen desaturation index(ODI), and kynurenine were independent related factors for ALT. AHI, mean oxygen saturation(MSpO2), LspO2, ODI, the cumulative sleep time at SpO2<90%(CT90), and kynurenine were independent risk factors for AST. Mediation analysis showed that kynurenine could explain 50.0%, 43.0%, 54.4%, and 52.4% of the effects of AHI, MSpO2, LSpO2, and ODI on serum AST in OSA patients, respectively. Conclusion Kynurenine plays an important mediating role in OSA-induced liver function damage and may be a potential therapeutic target.

Key words: Obstructive sleep apnea, Liver function injury, Kynurenine, Tryptophan metabolism

CLC Number: 

  • R766
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