Obesity and asthma: implications for treatment
1Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Program, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. sshore@hsph.harvard.edu
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine
|November 30, 2006
Summary
Obesity is linked to increased asthma prevalence and severity. Weight loss in obese individuals improves asthma outcomes, suggesting new therapeutic targets for this population.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Immunology
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Epidemiological studies and mouse models suggest a strong association between obesity and asthma.
- Obesity is increasingly recognized as a significant risk factor influencing asthma development and exacerbation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current data on the relationship between obesity and asthma.
- To explore the biological mechanisms underlying this association.
- To evaluate the implications for asthma treatment strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent epidemiological data and preclinical studies.
- Analysis of biological pathways and mediators implicated in obesity-asthma link.
Main Results:
- Obesity elevates asthma prevalence, incidence, and severity; weight loss improves outcomes.
- Obese individuals show altered asthma control and reduced response to standard therapies.
- Obese mice models display inherent airway hyperresponsiveness and heightened reactions to asthma triggers.
- Potential biological bases include shared etiologies, comorbidities, reduced lung volumes, and adipokines (e.g., TNF-α, leptin, adiponectin).
Conclusions:
- Understanding the mechanistic link between obesity and asthma is crucial.
- This knowledge may pave the way for novel therapeutic interventions for obese asthma patients.
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