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SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2006
9/27/06
Asthma, leptin levels and obesity in adults
Summary
Background - Recent studies have found an increased prevalence of asthma in obese children. Serum leptin levels are also increased in obesity. Is there a link between asthma, leptin levels and obesity in adults?
Findings - A group in the Southern Illinois Univ School of Medicine in Springfield analyzed findings in 5,876 participants in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. They found a direct link between increased body mass index (BMI) and asthma incidence. They also found a significant correlation between asthma incidence and serum levels of leptin, a pro-inflammatory compound produced by body fat.
The asthma-leptin correlation was stronger in women than in men, particularly in pre-menopausal women. However, the association between asthma and obesity occurred independent of exact leptin levels.
Reference
Thorax 2006;61:300-5
Editor's Comments
It has been thought that the increased frequency of asthma in obese individuals is most likely due to mechanical effects of the excess weight on chest wall movement. On the other hand, leptin may predispose/contribute to the bronchial inflammation underlying asthma. It has been found that leptin has pro-inflammatory effects in the airways of experimental animals. It remains to be seen whether leptin induces the pattern of bronchial inflammation typically seen in asthma.
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