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Cytokines Profile and Lung Function in Children with Obesity and Asthma: A Case Control Study

Laura Maffeis1, Carlo V Agostoni1,2, Denise Pires Marafon3

  • 1Pediatric Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy.

Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|October 27, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Obesity and asthma in children share inflammatory markers. Obese children with asthma exhibit a distinct cytokine profile, suggesting fat mass promotes asthma development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Immunology
  • Obesity Research

Background:

  • The link between childhood obesity and asthma is suspected but poorly understood.
  • Specific laboratory and clinical features of this comorbidity need further definition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate lung function and cytokine profiles in children with obesity and asthma.
  • To compare these parameters across groups with and without obesity and asthma.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, cross-sectional pilot study involving 84 children (28 per group).
  • Groups were matched for age and sex.
  • Evaluated pulmonary function tests, biochemical parameters, and serum cytokine levels.

Main Results:

  • Obese children had normal spirometry, but increased distal airway resistance if not asthmatic.
  • Obese groups showed higher leptin and IL-10, lower adiponectin and TNF-alpha versus non-obese, non-asthmatic children.
  • Children with obesity and asthma had elevated IL-33 and TGF-beta1 compared to normal-weight asthmatics.
  • IL-6 was frequently undetectable in obese children.

Conclusions:

  • Children with obesity and asthma present a unique cytokine profile.
  • This suggests a pro-inflammatory role of excess fat mass in the development of asthma.
  • Further research into these inflammatory pathways is warranted.

Keywords:
asthmacytokinesinflammationlung functionpediatric obesity

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