Plasma leptin and insulin-like growth factor I levels during acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Recent studies have provided evidence for a link between leptin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) mediates the metabolic effects of growth hormone (GH). The GH axis is believed to be suppressed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).