Leptin and neuropeptide Y in serum of children with mild asthma

Abstract

Leptin (LEP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) are involved in the maintenance of energy balance and create regulatory loops on central and peripheral stage between neuropeptides and hormones, additionally regulated by other physiological stimuli. According to data confirming tendency to overweight and obesity in asthmatic children we have examined the influence of mild asthma on neurohormonal balance. 43 children, aged 7-17 years, including 27 steroid naive mild asthmatic children aged (mean ± SD)12.3 ± 2.6 years and 16 age matched healthy children participated in the study. Serum LEP and NPY levels were measured radioimmunologically (RIA). Serum leptin level in asthmatic children was 2.84 ± 2.1ng/ml and did not differ to that of healthy children -3.49 ± 1.65 ng/ml , both in boys (p = 0,85) and girls (0,49). Similarly, we did not observe any differences between NPY levels in asthmatic (113,5 ± 31,1 μmol/ml) and healthy (98.5 ± 21.9 μmol/ml (p = 0,17)), irrespective to sex. Significant correlations between leptin levels and body mass index (BMI) in asthmatics (r = 0,62, p = 0,01) and healthy children (r = 0,56, p = 0,02) were observed. We conclude, that mild asthma in children seems not to affect neurohormonal regulation of energy balance.