Association of serum leptin and adiponectin with obesity in asthmatics.
BACKGROUND
Mounting evidence implicates obesity as a major risk factor for asthma. Leptin and adiponectin produced by fat tissues play a critical role in the regulation of body weight and allergic inflammation.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of leptin and adiponectin on development of asthma.


METHODS
We measured the leptin and adiponectin in serum from patients with asthma (n = 60) and normal control subjects (n = 30) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
Logarithmic leptin and adiponectin concentration was not different between asthmatics and control subjects. Although the logarithmic adiponectin level was not different by gender in asthmatics, the logarithmic leptin concentration was significantly higher in females than in male asthmatics (2.41 +/- 0.05 ng/mL vs. 2.01 +/- 0.05 ng/mL, p = 0.001). The leptin/adiponectin ratio was also significantly higher in females than in male asthmatics. The leptin/adiponectin ratio was correlated with body mass index (r = 0.210, p = 0.05) in asthmatics.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that serum leptin and adiponectin may be associated with gender and obesity regardless of development of asthma.
Jang
An-Soo
AS
Genome Research Center for Allergy and Respiratory Diseases, Division of Allergy and Respiratory Diseases, Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan, Gumi, Republic of Korea.
Kim
Tae-Hoon
TH
Park
Jong-Sook
JS
Kim
Ki-Up
KU
Uh
Soo-Taek
ST
Seo
Ki-Hyun
KH
Kim
Young Hoon
YH
Lim
Gune-Il
GI
Park
Choon-Sik
CS
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D012737:Sex Factors; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
D052242:Adiponectin; D020738:Leptin; D007073:Immunoglobulin E