Weight reduction improves immune system and inflammatory cytokines in obese asthmatic patients

Afr Health Sci. 2020 Jun;20(2):897-902. doi: 10.4314/ahs.v20i2.44.

Abstract

Background: Activation of immunological and systemic inflammation markers are common in obesity and asthma.

Objective: The target of this study was to assess impact of weight reduction on immunological and systemic inflammation markers in obese asthma patients.

Material and methods: Eighty asthmatic patients of both sex; their age and body mass index (BMI) mean were 38.72 ± 7.14 year and 32.65 ± 3.18 Kg/m2 respectively. Exclusion criteria included smokers, infections, vaccinations, cancer, surgery, immune system disorders and medications that may influence immune system function as anti-inflammatory medications, analgesics and anti-depressant. All subjects were randomly enrolled in weight reduction group (group A) or control group (group B).

Results: The main findings in the present study indicated that weight reducing program in group (A) was associated with significant reduction in the mean values of IL6, TNF-α, and IL8 in addition to significant increase in the mean values of CD4 and CD8 cell count . However, findings of group (B) showed no significant changes. Moreover, Comparison between both groups at the end of the study revealed significant differences.

Conclusion: Weight reduction improved immunological and systemic inflammation markers in obese asthma patients.

Keywords: Bronchial asthma; cytokines; immune system; obesity; weight reduction.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Asthma / blood
  • Asthma / diagnosis
  • Asthma / immunology*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cytokines / blood*
  • Diet, Reducing*
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Immune System
  • Inflammation / blood
  • Inflammation / complications
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-8 / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / blood
  • Obesity / immunology
  • Obesity / therapy*
  • Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / immunology*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Weight Loss / immunology*
  • Weight Reduction Programs

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Cytokines
  • Interleukin-6
  • Interleukin-8