ObjectiveTo investigate the pathogenesis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) by detecting the changes of serum interleukin-23 (IL-23) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels of the OSAHS patients before and after treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).MethodsFifty-eight patients with moderate to severe OSAHS diagnosed by polysomnography were recruited as an experimental group, 57 out-patient healthy subjects with matched age, sex and body mass index of the experimental group were enrolled as a control group. The serum concentrations of IL-23 and CRP in the experimental group were detected and compared before and after CPAP application for 3 months. The serum concentrations of IL-23 and CRP in the control group were also measured.ResultsThe serum levels of IL-23 and CRP in the OSAHS patients were significantly higher than those in the normal control subjects (P<0.05). The serum levels of IL-23 and CRP in the OSAHS patients after CPAP treatment were significantly lower than those before CPAP treatment (P<0.05). The serum concentrations of IL-23 and CRP were positively correlated with apnea hypopnea index (r=0.756, r=0.345, P<0.05, respectively), and negatively correlated with mean oxygen saturation (r=–0.715, r=–0.334, P<0.05, respectively).ConclusionsThe serum levels of IL-23 and CRP are positively correlated with the severity of OSAHS. After CPAP treatment, the levels of IL-23 and CRP decrease, which indicates that CPAP treatment may reduce the inflammatory reaction and correct anoxia of OSAHS patients.