Relationship of adipokines with immune response and lung function in obese asthmatic and non-asthmatic women.

Background: Obesity is a risk factor for asthma. Studies in mice suggest that the adipokines leptin and adiponectin affect asthmatic responses. The purpose of this study was to determine if adipokines associated with obesity are (1) altered in obese women with asthma compared to controls and (2) associated with increased cytokines and chemokines involved in allergic inflammation.