Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 26, 2026

Experimental Approach to Examine Leptin Signaling in the Carotid Bodies and its Effects on Control of Breathing
Published on: October 25, 2019
Role of Leptin in the Association Between Body Adiposity and Persistent Asthma: A Longitudinal Study
Zhen Li1,2,3, Bénédicte Leynaert4, Orianne Dumas1,2
1VIMA: Aging and Chronic Diseases, Epidemiological and Public Health Approaches, INSERM U1168, Villejuif, France.
Objective:
Obesity is a likely risk factor for asthma. However, underlying mechanisms by which obesity affects asthma activity remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of leptin, an adipocyte-derived proinflammatory protein, as a mediator in the association between body adiposity (assessed using BMI, waist circumference, and body fat percentage) and persistent asthma.
Methods:
A causal approach to mediation analysis was used to disentangle total and direct effects and the indirect effect mediated by leptin, using data from the French prospective French Epidemiological Study on the Genetics and Environment of Asthma (EGEA) (baseline: 2003-2007; follow-up: 2011-2013; mean follow-up time: 7 years). A total of 331 participants with current asthma at baseline were included.
Results:
Per 1-SD increment in BMI, waist circumference, and body fat percentage, the adjusted odds ratios of the total effect were 1.59 (95% CI: 0.95-2.97), 2.06 (1.06-4.00), and 3.25 (1.01-9.41), respectively; the odds ratios of the indirect effect mediated by leptin were 1.68 (1.09-2.46), 1.55 (0.99-2.57), and 1.99 (0.94-4.83), respectively.
Conclusions:
Leptin partly (> 60%) mediated the association between high body adiposity and persistent asthma over time. Using a newly developed analytic approach, this longitudinal study brought new insight into one mechanism by which obesity may affect asthma activity.
Related Concept Videos
Longitudinal Studies
Role of Proteins in the Human Body
Longitudinal Research
Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
Asthma-I: Introduction
Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:

