Cytokines Profile and Lung Function in Children with Obesity and Asthma: A Case Control Study

Overview

Journal Children (Basel)

Specialty Health Services

Date 2022 Oct 27

PMID 36291398

Authors

Laura Maffeis

Carlo V Agostoni

Denise Pires Marafon

Leonardo Terranova

Claudia Giavoli

Gregorio P Milani

Mara Lelii

Barbara Madini

Paola Marchisio

M Francesca Patria

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The existence of common inflammatory biomarkers linking obesity and asthma in children has been hypothesized. Nevertheless, laboratory and clinical characteristics of children with obesity and asthma are still poorly defined. The primary aim of the present study is to investigate the lung function and the cytokine profile, in children with obesity and asthma. In this prospective, cross-sectional pilot study, pulmonary function tests, biochemical parameters, and serum cytokines levels were compared in three groups of 28 children each, matched for age and sex. Obese children showed normal forced spirometry values except an increased distal airway resistance in subjects with obesity and no asthma. Both groups including obese children showed higher leptin and IL-10 levels and lower adiponectin and TNF-alpha levels compared to children with no obesity and asthma. IL-33 and TGF-beta1 levels were higher in children with obesity and asthma vs. children with normal weight and asthma. Finally, IL-6 was undetectable in approximately 70% of obese children with no asthma, in 57% obese asthmatic children and in 100% of children with normal-weight and asthma. Children with obesity and asthma show the most striking cytokine profile, suggesting a pro-inflammatory role of fat mass in asthma development.

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