【Abstract】 Objective To investigate the effects of activation and inhibition of AMPactive protein kinase (AMPK) on insulin resistance, blood lipid levels and inflammatory mediators release in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Methods The OSAS model of rats was constructed. The rats were divided into control group, OSAS group, OSAS+ agonist group and OSAS+ inhibitor group. The effects of AICAR as AMPK agonist and AMPK α2 shRNA plasmid as AMPK inhibitor on triglyceride, total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance index HOMAIR, adiponectin, leptin, and inflammatory factor TNFα and IL6 were observed. Results The triglyceride, total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, HOMAIR, TNFα, IL6 levels in OSAS rats were significantly higher than those in the control group, while adiponectin and leptin levels were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P＜005). After giving AICAR, the triglycerides, total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose and HOMAIR levels were significantly decreased, adiponectin and leptin levels were significantly increased, inflammatory factors TNFα and IL6 levels were significantly decreased (all P＜005). After the AMPK α2 shRNA plasmid was given, the effects were reversed, resulting in the deterioration of the above indexes (all P＜005). Conclusion AMPK can relieve insulin resistance in OSAS model rats, reduce blood lipid level, and reduce the release of inflammatory mediators.