Adipokines in adolescence; the associations with lung function and atopy – A cross-sectional study. (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mikalsen, Ingvild Bruun; Byberg, Kristine; Forman, Michele R.; Øymar, Knut
• Is Part Of: Respiratory medicine. Volume 170(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Leptin -- Adiponectin -- Lung function -- Asthma -- Adolescents -- Atopy; Chest -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Chest -- Diseases -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory Tract Diseases -- Periodicals; Appareil respiratoire -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Thorax -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Appareil respiratoire -- Maladies -- Traitement -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2020.106063
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-6111

Abstract

Abstract: Both inflammatory and mechanical effects have been proposed to explain the increased risk of asthma and reduced lung function observed in obese children and adults. The evidence regarding the potential role of obesity in the aetiology of atopy and allergy is more conflicting. The adipokines leptin and adiponectin are inflammatory markers of fat metabolism which may be involved in explaining the increased risk of asthma and reduced lung function in obese children and adults. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to study how adiponectin and leptin were associated with lung function and atopic sensitisation in adolescents. The study included 384 children at mean age 12.9 years with measurements of adiponectin, leptin, lung function and atopic sensitisation. Adiponectin and leptin levels were measured in serum, lung function was measured by spirometry and atopic sensitisation was measured by serum specific Immunoglobulin E. In linear regression models, leptin was negatively associated with forced vital capacity (FVC) (Beta: −4.13; 95% Confidence Interval: −5.83, −2.44, P < 0.001) and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1 ) (−3.74; −5.39, −2.09, P < 0.001) after adjusting for body mass index (BMI) and other covariates. No associations were observed between adiponectin and lung function or between leptin or adiponectin and atopic sensitisation. In this cross-sectional analysis of adolescents in all weight classes, leptin was negatively associated with FEV1 and FVC independent of BMI, but no associations were found between adiponectin and lung function. The results suggest that leptin may have a functional role in the airways of healthy children. Highlights: The adipokines leptin and adiponectin are inflammatory markers of fat metabolism. Adipokines may partly explain the link between obesity and respiratory outcomes. Leptin is negatively associated with lung function independent of BMI. Leptin may have a functional role in the airways of healthy children.