title: Resistin is a predictor of asthma risk and resistin:adiponectin ratio is a negative predictor of lung function in asthma.
abstract: Adipokines, such as resistin and adiponectin, modify inflammation and may contribute to increased asthma risk and severity in obese people.
  
  
  
  To examine plasma resistin and resistin:adiponectin ratio (i) in asthmatics compared to healthy controls, (ii) according to asthma severity, obesity and gender (iii) following weight loss in obese asthmatics.
  
  
  
  In a cross-sectional observational study of asthmatic adults (n = 96) and healthy controls (n = 46), plasma resistin and adiponectin were measured. In a separate intervention study, obese asthmatic adults (n = 27) completed a 10-week weight loss intervention and plasma resistin and adiponectin concentrations were analysed.
  
  
  
  Plasma resistin and resistin:adiponectin ratio were higher in asthma compared to controls and were higher again in subjects with a severe vs. mild-to-moderate asthma pattern. Amongst asthmatic subjects, resistin was not modified by gender or obesity, while adiponectin was lower in males and obese subjects. As a result, resistin:adiponectin ratio was higher in obese males, non-obese males and obese females, compared to non-obese females. In a logistic regression model, plasma resistin concentration was a predictor of asthma risk. In a multiple linear regression model, plasma resistin:adiponectin ratio was a negative predictor of FEV1 in asthma. Following weight loss, neither resistin, adiponectin nor resistin:adiponectin ratio was changed. However, the change (∆) in %body fat was associated with ∆ resistin:adiponectin ratio. Post-intervention ∆ resistin was negatively correlated with both ∆FRC and ∆RV.
  
  
  
  This study demonstrates that resistin and resistin:adiponectin ratio are higher in asthma and are higher again in subjects who have more severe disease. Resistin:adiponectin ratio is highest in obese male asthmatics. As resistin is a predictor of asthma risk and resistin:adiponectin is a predictor of FEV1 in asthma, these adipokines may be contributing to the obese asthma phenotype, thus providing a potential therapeutic target for obese asthma.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Asthma and Respiratory Diseases, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.|Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ballantyne
authors.affiliation: Centre for Asthma and Respiratory Diseases, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: MacDonald-Wicks
authors.affiliation: Centre for Asthma and Respiratory Diseases, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.|Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.affiliation: Centre for Asthma and Respiratory Diseases, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015415:Biomarkers; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment; D011379:Prognosis; D052243:Resistin / Q000097:blood*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D052243:Resistin
keywords: adipokines; adiponectin; asthma; obesity