In addition, ABCA1-dependent CECs were found to be diminished in OSA patients (78.4 ± 13.7) compared to controls (100 ± 14.7, P < 0.001, Fig. 2e), and the results remained unchanged after adjustment for age, sex, BMI and HOMA-IR (99.0 ± 14.1 vs. 78.8 ± 8.0, P < 0.001). Here, ABCA1 is linked to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.