ObjectiveTo investigate the effects and clinical significance of edaravone on serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in elderly patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).MethodsA total of 90 elderly patients with moderate to severe OSAHS confirmed by polysomnography were recruited from North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital in February 2016 to October 2017. According to random number table method the OSAHS patients were randomly divided into group A (n=30), group B (n=30) and group C (n=30). Group A received continuous positive airway pressure treatment for six months, group B received edaravone therapy and continuous positive airway pressure treatment for six months, and group C only received edaravone therapy for six months. The changes of serum TNF-α, IL-6 and ICAM-1 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before and after treatment.ResultsThe differences of serum TNF-α, IL-6 and ICAM-1 before treatment in the three groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Compared with before treatment, the levels of serum TNF-α, IL-6 and ICAM-1 decreased in the three groups (P<0.05). After six months of treatment, the levels of serum TNF-α, IL-6 and ICAM-1 decreased in group A and group B compared with group C (P<0.05), and decreased significantly in group B compared with group A (P<0.05).ConclusionEdaravone can inhibit the expressions of serum TNF-α, IL-6 and ICAM-1 in elderly patients with moderate to severe OSAHS, and thereby reduce vascular endothelial dysfunction and injury.