Role of Cysteinyl Leukotrienes in the Pathogenesis of Asthma in Obesity
Role of Cysteinyl Leukotrienes in the Pathogenesis of Asthma in Obesity
The purpose of this study is to examine whether there are higher levels of cysteinyl
 leukotrienes in obese subjects than in non-obese subjects. Cysteinyl leukotrienes are
 pro-inflammatory substances that cause asthma by narrowing the airways of the lung. The
 investigators want to see if subjects with increased fat stores and therefore increased
 leptin, which is a fat-related protein that regulates leukotrienes, have increased levels of
 leukotrienes in the blood, lung and urine. The investigators would also like to determine the
 relationship between cysteinyl leukotrienes and exhaled nitric oxide levels in asthmatics
 with and without obesity. Nitric oxide is anti-inflammatory and suppresses leukotriene
 synthesis.
This is a cross-sectional observational study to characterize the association between obese
 asthmatics and the inflammatory mediators cysteinyl leukotrienes. Our hypothesis is that
 altered adipokine levels in obesity result in augmented cysteinyl leukotriene synthesis that
 play a significant role in the pathogenesis of asthma in these subjects.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  18-65 yr old adults with asthma, non-smoking for at least one year

 -  Healthy non-smoking adults, aged 18-65 without asthma

 -  Heavy subjects with BMI > 30 kg/m2

 -  Subjects with normal weight (BMI between 20-25 kg/m2)

 -  Subject not taking anti-leukotriene therapy (Singulair, Accolate, Zyflo)

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  No chronic oral steroid use

 -  No recent history of infection

 -  No recent history of flare of lung disease