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Increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and increased serum levels of inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-18, are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether carotid IMT, a useful marker for early atherosclerosis, is associated with these inflammatory markers in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Carotid IMT was investigated with ultrasonography in 36 patients with OSA and 16 obese control subjects. Serum levels of CRP, IL-6, and IL-18 were measured at 5:00 A.M. Carotid IMT (p < 0.001) and serum levels of CRP (p < 0.003), IL-6 (p < 0.005), and IL-18 (p < 0.03) of patients with OSA were significantly higher than those of obese control subjects. Carotid IMT was significantly correlated with serum levels of CRP (r = 0.61, p = 0.0001), IL-6 (r = 0.41, p = 0.01), and IL-18 (r = 0.45, p = 0.005), duration of OSA-related hypoxia (r = 0.60, p = 0.0001), and severity of OSA (r = 0.50, p = 0.002). In addition, the primary factor influencing carotid IMT was duration of hypoxia during total sleep time (p = 0.036). These results suggest that OSA-related hypoxia and systemic inflammation might be associated with the progression of atherosclerosis and thus might increase the risks of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity in patients with OSA.

Study objectives: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In the present study, we examined TNF- production by monocytes, serum levels of TNF-, and the effects of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: University hospital. Subjects: Twenty-four patients with OSAS, 15 obese control subjects, and 12 healthy subjects. Measurements and results: After polysomnography, venous blood was collected at 5 AM. Spontaneous production of TNF- by monocytes for 24 h and serum levels of TNF- were investigated. In addition, patients with moderate-to-severe OSAS were treated with nCPAP for 1 month, and spontaneous production of TNF- by monocytes and serum levels of TNF- were also measured. Spontaneous production of TNF- by monocytes was significantly higher in patients with moderate-to-severe OSAS than in patients with mild OSAS (p < 0.0001), obese control subjects (p < 0.0001), or healthy subjects (p < 0.0001). Serum levels of TNF- were also significantly higher in patients with moderate-to-severe OSAS than in patients with mild OSAS (p < 0.03), obese control subjects (p < 0.0005), or healthy subjects (p < 0.0001). Duration of hypoxia during total sleep time was independently associated with spontaneous production of TNF- by monocytes in patients with OSAS and healthy and obese control subjects. nCPAP significantly decreased spontaneous production of TNF- by monocytes (p < 0.03) and serum levels of TNF(p < 0.05) in patients with moderate-to-severe OSAS. Conclusions: Spontaneous production of TNF- by monocytes and serum levels of TNF- are elevated in patients with moderate-to-severe OSAS but are decreased by nCPAP. (CHEST 2004; 126:1473–1479)

Interleukin (IL)-12 production and IL-12 receptor (IL-12R) beta2 chain expression were investigated in patients with allergic asthma successfully treated with rush immunotherapy (RIT) and control patients with mild allergic asthma. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were stimulated with Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f), and production of cytokines was measured. Furthermore, the effects of cytokines on IL-12R beta2 chain expression on CD4(+) T cells were investigated. Production by PBMCs of IL-12 and IFN-gamma was significantly higher and production of IL-4 was significantly lower after stimulation with Der f allergen in RIT-treated patients than in control patients. Significant increases in the expression of IL-12R beta2 chain before and after stimulation of CD4(+) T cells with IL-12 or IFN-gamma were observed in RIT-treated patients compared with that in control patients. Allergen RIT increases IL-12 production and IL-12R beta2 chain expression and thus may convert cytokine production from Th2 to Th1 or Th0 type in allergic asthma.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the digestive organs, most commonly of the stomach and the duodenum. Symptoms of EGE are nonspecific and include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, malabsorption, ascites and weight loss. The various symptoms of EGE depend on its location and the depth of gastrointestinal eosinophil infiltration. We report a case presenting with acute pancreatitis caused by a milk allergy. The patient’s symptoms rapidly improved after treatment with corticosteroids, and he remained symptom-free for more than 20 months by the elimination of cow’s milk from his diet. Serum titers of pancreatic enzymes and total bilirubin simultaneously recovered and blood eosinophil counts normalized. The causative allergens of EGE are too various to detect; however, allergologic exams revealed that a cow’s milk allergy had provoked EGE in our case. Adult-onset cow’s milk allergies are rare; when seen, however, they may present severe complications such as anaphylaxis, gastroenteritis and pancreatitis. When unaccountable gastrointestinal symptoms are observed, EGE caused by food allergies should be included in the differential diagnosis.