Publications by authors named "Jack Womble"
Background: Airway tissue eosinophilia can be an observed feature of obesity-associated type 2 (T2) asthma, but the processes mediating this inflammation are unknown.
Objective: To investigate a process whereby leptin, an adipokine elevated in obesity, potentiates pulmonary eosinophilia and eotaxin production by airway fibroblasts in T2 asthma.
Methods: We assessed associations between body mass index and airway eosinophilia as well as leptin and eotaxin production in 78 participants with asthma, 36 of whom exhibited obesity.
Several studies report that ashwagandha, a traditional Ayurvedic supplement, has anti-inflammatory properties. Type 2 (T2) asthma is characterized by eosinophilic airway inflammation. We hypothesized that allergen-induced eosinophilic airway inflammation in mice would be reduced following administration of Withaferin A (WFA), the primary active phytochemical in Ashwagandha.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease marked by airway inflammation, remodeling and hyperresponsiveness to allergens. Allergic asthma is normally well controlled through the use of beta-2-adrenergic agonists and inhaled corticosteroids; however, a subset of patients with comorbid obesity experience resistance to currently available therapeutics. Patients with asthma and comorbid obesity are also at a greater risk for severe disease, contributing to increased risk of hospitalization.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- In a study on asthma and obesity, researchers hypothesized that introducing leptin, a hormone increased in obesity, would worsen airway inflammation and fibrosis in a mouse model of allergic airways disease.
- The experiment involved exposing mice to an allergen, followed by subcutaneous injections of either leptin or saline, and analyzing lung function and tissue post-treatment.
- Results showed that leptin increased lung resistance and fibrosis markers, with notable differences in responses between male and female mice, indicating leptin's role in exacerbating asthma conditions.
Asthma is a common, chronic airway inflammatory disease marked by airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation, and remodeling. Asthma incidence has increased rapidly in the past few decades and recent multicenter analyses have revealed several unique asthma endotypes. Of these, type-2 high asthma with comorbid obesity presents a unique clinical challenge marked by increased resistance to standard therapies and exacerbated disease development.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Gut/Lung Microbiome Axis in Obesity, Asthma, and Bariatric Surgery: A Literature Review.
Obesity (Silver Spring)
April 2021
Article Synopsis
- Obesity, metabolic syndrome, and asthma are interconnected, with evidence pointing to their relationship with imbalances in the microbiome, especially in gut and airway bacteria.
- Bariatric surgery shows potential in improving asthma symptoms, possibly through significant changes in gut microbiota that increase beneficial compounds like propionate and butyrate.
- Understanding how these microbiome changes influence asthma and metabolic health post-surgery could lead to new treatments for individuals struggling with both obesity and asthma.