Impact of Obesity on Adipokines, Inflammatory Cytokines and Clinical Symptoms Control in Asthmatic Subjects

Bronchial asthma and obesity are common medical problems as there are more than 300 million patients with bronchial asthma [1,2] and 2 billion obese and overweight subjects worldwide [3]. However, about 36% of American subjects were obese in 20092010 [4]. In this regard, association between obesity and asthma reduce responsiveness to steroid therapy, increase exacerbation of asthma and reduce control of asthma [5-8]. Cardiovascular disorders are common among patients with bronchial asthma [9,10]. The association between cardiovascular disease and asthma is stronger in women than men [11]. However, systemic inflammation increase the risk for cardiovascular disorders in bronchial asthma [12]. Moreover, neutrophilic airway inflammation, increased resistance for corticosteroids and increased morbidity are criteria for an association between obesity and asthma [13-15]. Adipokines play an important role in regulation of different physiological body functions [16]. There was an association between asthma, adiponectin and leptin [17]. However, there is an interest in study of role of adipose tissue in development of asthma in obesity as adipose tissue is considered as an active endocrine organ that elaborating adipokines, hormones and cytokines which regulate immune and metabolic responses [18]. The aim of this study was to measure the relationship between Adipokines, inflammatory cytokines and clinical symptoms in obese asthmatic Saudi patients.