Impact of Intermittent Hypoxia on Neutrophil Extracellular Traps

This prospective observational study will enroll 60 moderate-to-severe OSA patients (AHI≧15/hour, 30 obese \[BMI\>=27\] \& 30 non-obese \[BMI\<27\]) and 40 age-, gender-, BMI-matched controls without OSA. Venous blood 10 ml will be collected to isolate neutrophils, which are later tested for their ability to produce neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) under the effect of PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate). The test will be repeated if OSA patients receive CPAP therapy (continous positive airway pressure therapy).