Development of a new drug therapy for sleep apnea syndrome using phospholipid activation in saliva

• Project/Area Number: 15K20545
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Surgical dentistry
• Research Institution: Nagasaki University
• Principal Investigator: KAWAI Mari 長崎大学, 病院(歯学系), 助教 (30728572)
• Research Collaborator: AYUSE Takao
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2018)
• Budget Amount: ¥3,770,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥870,000); Fiscal Year 2017: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000); Fiscal Year 2016: ¥1,170,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000); Fiscal Year 2015: ¥1,170,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000)
• Keywords: 睡眠時無呼吸症候群 / 唾液 / ホスファチジルコリン / 表面張力 / リン脂質 / 上気道開通性 / フォスファチジルコリン / 生理周期 / 歯学 / 歯科麻酔学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

An increase in salivary phosphatidylcholine concentration may decrease upper airway patency in obstructive sleep apnea through a reduction in surface tension. In order to find out the direction of the new treatment of topical replacement therapy of PC-based surfactant in saliva, we examined factors affecting PC in saliva. It was suggested that PC may be adjusting the surface tension under the influence of female hormones.The lower surface tension of saliva in patients with Down syndrome might compensate for an anatomical predisposition towards upper airway collapsibility and other risk factors.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

唾液中のPCを主成分とする内因性サーファクタントが上気道開通性の維持に大きな役割を持っていること、また、唾液中のリン脂質の変化が表面張力を調節し「低呼吸の改善」に有効であることを報告し、新しい治療法の重要な手がかりを得た。初期症状である「いびき」や「低呼吸」を唾液中のPCを主成分とするサーファクタントの局所補充療法で改善することができれば、極めて初期の段階から予防治療を開始でき、重症化を防ぐことが可能になると考える。

Research Products

• [Journal Article] 1.Changes in surface tension of saliva in Down syndrome. (2018)
  • Author(s): Kawai M, Ito N, Ayuse T
  • Journal Title: Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. Volume: 22(19) Pages: 6469-6474
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Presentation] ダウン症候群患者の唾液中の表面張力の変調にいて (2018)
  • Author(s): 河井真理、伊藤七虹、鮎瀬卓郎、長田豊
  • Organizer: 日本障害者歯科学会
• [Book] BIO Clinica (2016)
  • Author(s): 河井真理 鮎瀬卓郎
  • Total Pages: 6
  • Publisher: 北隆館