Serum leptin and adiponectin levels correlate with mast cell activation during exercise-induced bronchospasm in asthmatic children

Background

The aim of this study was to address the correlation between leptin, adiponectin and exercise induced bronchospasm (EIB) by measuring urinary metabolites of mast cell mediators such as 9α,11β-PGF₂, LTE₄.

Methods

Seventy-two prepubertal children from the ages of 6 years to 10 years were recruited in the study. They comprised: asthmatic with EIB (n=24), asthmatic without EIB (n=21), and healthy controls (n=27). We measured exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) and serum eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), leptin, adiponectin and cytokines. The urinary concentrations of LTE₄ and 9α,11β-PGF₂ were measured. The present study also performed pulmonary function tests: baseline, post-bronchodilator inhalation, methacholine inhalation and exercise. The area under the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁)-time curve quantified the severity of EIB over a 20-minute period after exercise (AUC₂₀).

Results

The post-exercise urinary excretion of 9α,11β-PGF₂ in the asthmatics with EIB increased significantly compared with asthmatics without EIB. The post-exercise urinary excretion of LTE₄ was not significantly difference between the two groups. The maximal decreases in % FEV₁ after exercise were positively correlated with leptin levels and negatively with serum adiponectin levels in asthmatic children. Leptin presented positive associations correlated with post-exercise urinary excretion of 9α,11β-PGF_2, LTE₄ and adiponectin presented negative associations correlated with post-exercise urinary excretion of LTE₄

Conclusions

Serum concentrations of the adipocyte-derived hormones leptin and adiponectin are correlated with EIB/BHR and urinary metabolites of mast cell mediators induced by exercise challenge in asthmatic children.