Obesity and lung inflammation

• Published in: Journal of applied physiology (1985) Vol. 108; no. 3; pp. 722 - 728
• Main Author: Mancuso, Peter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Physiological Society 01-03-2010
• Series: Pulmonary Physiology and Pathophysiology in Obesity
• Subjects: Adipokines - metabolism; Adipose Tissue - immunology; Adipose Tissue - physiopathology; Adiposity; Air Pollutants - adverse effects; Animals; Highlighted Topic; Humans; Inflammation Mediators - metabolism; Inhalation Exposure; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - immunology; Lung - immunology; Lung - physiopathology; Lung diseases; Obesity; Obesity - complications; Obesity - immunology; Obesity - physiopathology; Ozone - adverse effects; Particulate Matter - adverse effects; Pathogenesis; Physiology; Pneumonia - etiology; Pneumonia - immunology; Pneumonia - physiopathology; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - etiology; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - immunology; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - physiopathology; Risk Factors
• ISSN: 8750-7587; 1522-1601
• DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00781.2009

The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically worldwide, predisposing individuals to an increased risk of morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Less recognized is the fact that obesity may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary diseases through mechanisms that may involve proinflammatory mediators produced in adipose tissue that contribute to a low-grade state of systemic inflammation. In animal models, inflammatory responses in the lung have been shown to influence the production of the adipocytokines, leptin and adiponectin, cytokines, acute phase proteins, and other mediators produced by adipose tissue that may participate in immune responses of the lung. An increased adipose tissue mass may also influence susceptibility to pulmonary infections, enhance pulmonary inflammation associated with environmental exposures, and exacerbate airway obstruction in preexisting lung disease. An increased understanding of the mechanisms by which obesity influences pulmonary inflammation may facilitate the development of novel therapeutic interventions for the treatment of lung disease.