Chronic treatment with inhaled corticosteroids does not modify leptin serum levels.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the influence of a short-term treatment with low-dose inhaled corticosteroids on leptin serum levels.


METHODS
14 prepubertal children, mean age 5.1 +/- 2.4 years, treated with inhaled fluticasone propionate 100 microg b.d. and 16 prepubertal children, mean age 8.3 +/- 1.3 years, treated with inhaled budesonide 200 microg b.d.


METHODS
All children underwent a CRH test with evaluation of leptin, cortisol and ACTH levels before and after 3 months of treatment.


RESULTS
Fluticasone group: no difference was found between basal cortisol level, delta and area under the curve (AUC) before and after treatment, though cortisol peak was significantly lower following treatment. Basal ACTH level, peak and AUC were significantly lower after treatment. Budesonide group: no statistically significant difference in any of the parameters regarding cortisol and ACTH secretion was observed before and after treatment. No significant changes in basal serum leptin levels and AUC were observed following treatment in both groups. Furthermore no significant variation in leptin level was observed during both CRH tests.


CONCLUSIONS
Leptin secretion does not seem to be affected by low-dose inhaled corticosteroids; moreover leptin does not seem to be involved in the response of the HPA axis to stress.
Department of Pediatrics, Regional Hospital of Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy. giorgio.radetti@asbz.it
G
G
Radetti
C
C
Paganini
P S
PS
Morpurgo
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L
Pescollderungg
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P
Beck-Peccoz
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019540:Area Under Curve; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D020738:Leptin; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone