Background: Adipokines, such as resistin and adiponectin, may contribute to increased asthma risk and severity in obese people.
Aim: To examine plasma resistin and resistin: adiponectin ratio: (1) in asthmatics compared to healthy controls, (2) according to asthma severity, BMI and gender (3) following weight loss in obese asthmatics.
Methods: 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 were measured.
Results: Plasma resistin and resistin: adiponectin ratio were higher in asthma compared to controls (7.2 (4.8-9.6) vs 4.8 (3.7-7.3) ng/mL, p=0.005 and 3.04 ± 0.58 vs 1.55 ± 0.23 x10-3, p=0.019 respectively) and further increased in subjects with a severe asthma pattern. Resistin: adiponectin ratio was increased in obese asthma compared to non-obese asthma and non-obese controls. Resistin: adiponectin ratio was increased in obese females, non-obese males and obese males compared to non-obese females. Using multiple linear regression, both resistin and resistin: adiponectin negatively predicted lung function. Following weight loss, resistin and resistin: adiponectin ratio were unchanged. However, change in %body fat was associated with change in resistin: adiponectin ratio.
Conclusion: Resistin: adiponectin ratio is increased in asthma and further increased in subjects who are obese, have more severe disease and are male. As resistin and resistin: adiponectin ratio negatively predict lung function, these adipokines may provide a therapeutic target for obese asthma.
Funding source: Hunter Medical Research Institute