Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein plasma levels in children: effects of obstructive sleep apnea and obesity.

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been linked to obesity, inflammation, and metabolic syndrome. The gut microbiota, which serves as reservoir for bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS), could be altered by OSA and trigger inflammation. LPS-binding protein (LBP) serves as a surrogate marker of underlying low-grade endotoxemia by LPS from the gut. We hypothesized that systemic LBP levels would be higher in obese children and in those with OSA.