TNF and sleep apnea syndrome: Mechanisms linking sleep apnoea and MACE include oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, mechanical stress and inflammation during hypoxic episodes in sleep apnoea.19 The most researched markers associated with sleep apnoea were high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)20 and interleukin-6 (IL-6)21 identifying higher levels of inflammation in the body.