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Experimental Approach to Examine Leptin Signaling in the Carotid Bodies and its Effects on Control of Breathing
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Published on: October 25, 2019

Chronic treatment with inhaled corticosteroids does not modify leptin serum levels

G Radetti1, C Paganini, P S Morpurgo

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Regional Hospital of Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy. giorgio.radetti@asbz.it

Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes : Official Journal, German Society of Endocrinology [And] German Diabetes Association
|May 15, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Low-dose inhaled corticosteroids did not affect leptin serum levels in children. This suggests leptin is not involved in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to stress during short-term treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are commonly used for childhood asthma.
  • Potential systemic effects of ICS, including hormonal changes, require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of short-term, low-dose inhaled corticosteroids on serum leptin levels in prepubertal children.
  • To determine if leptin plays a role in the HPA axis response to stress following ICS treatment.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 30 prepubertal children divided into two groups receiving either fluticasone propionate or budesonide for 3 months.
  • Children underwent a Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone (CRH) test to measure leptin, cortisol, and ACTH levels before and after treatment.

Main Results:

  • Neither fluticasone nor budesonide significantly altered basal serum leptin levels or leptin response during the CRH test.
  • Fluticasone treatment led to a significant decrease in basal ACTH and cortisol peak levels.
  • Budesonide treatment showed no significant changes in cortisol or ACTH secretion parameters.

Conclusions:

  • Low-dose inhaled corticosteroids do not appear to influence leptin secretion in children.
  • Leptin is unlikely to be involved in the HPA axis's stress response pathway affected by these treatments.
Abstract

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