Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea

Author

Kendall G. Clark, James Madison UniversityFollow

Preferred Name

Kendall Clark

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Date of Graduation

5-7-2020

Semester of Graduation

Spring

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Department of Kinesiology

Advisor(s)

Trent A. Hargens

Stephanie P. Kurti-Luden

Christopher J. Womack

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction: Lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A₂ (Lp-PLA₂) is a protein produced by inflammatory cells in circulation and is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Prior research demonstrates that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) leads to increased inflammation and is also related to CVD. Physical activity is known to reduce inflammation and risk for both CVD and OSA. However, Lp-PLA₂ has yet to be examined in individuals with OSA who do not have any other pre-existing conditions nor has it been associated with chronic physical activity. The purpose of this study was to examine if there is a relationship between Lp-PLA₂ mass and OSA. A secondary purpose of this study was to determine if physical activity levels have an impact on Lp-PLA₂ mass.

Methods: A total of 39 subjects with an average BMI of 29.7 ±5.3 were screened for risk of OSA with an at home assessment device and placed into OSA and non-OSA groups. Data collected included anthropometric data, Lp-PLA₂ mass, maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), resting heart rate and blood pressure, heart rate variability, and an assessment of physical activity using an accelerometer.

Results: There was no significant difference in Lp-PLA₂ mass between OSA and non-OSA groups (160.5 ±121.3 vs 124.7 ± 134.4 ng/mL). However, after taking the mean value for Lp-PLA₂ mass and dividing subjects up into two groups, one above and one below the mean, the group with the higher Lp-PLA₂ had greater waist circumference (87.8 ± 12.2 vs 100.1 ± 11.9 cm; P < 0.05), sedentary minutes (645.4 ± 161.3 vs 937.3 ± 219.1; P < 0.001), and light intensity physical activity minutes (187.9 ± 84.5 vs 94.6 ± 27.0; P = 0.002).

Conclusions: There appears to be no relationship between OSA and Lp-PLA₂ mass aside from a positive correlation to sedentary minutes. However, when separated by mean Lp-PLA₂ mass, it does appear that higher Lp-PLA₂ is associated with waist circumference, sedentary time, and time in light activity. This indicates that there could be a relationship between physical activity behavior and Lp-PLA₂, as a result of differing adiposity profile.

Recommended Citation

Clark, Kendall G., "Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea" (2020). Masters Theses, 2020-current. 41.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/masters202029/41