Serum selenium and manganese levels in obstructive sleep apnea patients and their relationship with GPx and SOD enzyme activities

Abstract

Selenium and manganese are antioxidant elements, are cofactors in the functioning of enzymes. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the inability to breathe during sleep and may develop due to changes in oxidative stress, antioxidant defense system, and serum trace element levels. Therefore, we aimed to determine the antioxidant enzyme activities glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as Se, Mn levels, in OSA patients (n=38) and healthy controls (n=27). Se and Mn were determined by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GFAAS), and GPx, SOD enzyme activities were determined by ELISA method in samples taken after polysomnography (PSG). Our results showed that Se, Mn levels in patients were significantly lower than in controls (p<0.0001). GPx activity in patients was lower than in controls (p<0.01), but serum SOD activity was lower than in healthy individuals but not significant (p>0.05). The results showed that the patients’ Se, Mn levels, as well as GPx, SOD enzyme activities, were lower than the controls. In conclusion, our study showed that low levels of Se and Mn trace elements in OSA patients are associated with decreased antioxidant enzyme activities and increased oxidative stress. These findings suggest that trace elements affect the antioxidant enzyme activities in which they act as cofactors and that their deficiencies should be eliminated with supportive treatments in OSA patients. © 2025, Istanbul Medipol University. All rights reserved.