BACKGROUND: Adipokines, such as resistin and adiponectin, modify inflammation 
and may contribute to increased asthma risk and severity in obese people.
OBJECTIVE: To examine plasma resistin and resistin:adiponectin ratio (i) in 
asthmatics compared to healthy controls, (ii) according to asthma severity, 
obesity and gender (iii) following weight loss in obese asthmatics.
METHODS: In a cross-sectional observational study of asthmatic adults (n = 96) 
and healthy controls (n = 46), plasma resistin and adiponectin were measured. In 
a separate intervention study, obese asthmatic adults (n = 27) completed a 
10-week weight loss intervention and plasma resistin and adiponectin 
concentrations were analysed.
RESULTS: Plasma resistin and resistin:adiponectin ratio were higher in asthma 
compared to controls and were higher again in subjects with a severe vs. 
mild-to-moderate asthma pattern. Amongst asthmatic subjects, resistin was not 
modified by gender or obesity, while adiponectin was lower in males and obese 
subjects. As a result, resistin:adiponectin ratio was higher in obese males, 
non-obese males and obese females, compared to non-obese females. In a logistic 
regression model, plasma resistin concentration was a predictor of asthma risk. 
In a multiple linear regression model, plasma resistin:adiponectin ratio was a 
negative predictor of FEV1 in asthma. Following weight loss, neither resistin, 
adiponectin nor resistin:adiponectin ratio was changed. However, the change (∆) 
in %body fat was associated with ∆ resistin:adiponectin ratio. Post-intervention 
∆ resistin was negatively correlated with both ∆FRC and ∆RV.
CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study demonstrates that resistin and 
resistin:adiponectin ratio are higher in asthma and are higher again in subjects 
who have more severe disease. Resistin:adiponectin ratio is highest in obese 
male asthmatics. As resistin is a predictor of asthma risk and 
resistin:adiponectin is a predictor of FEV1 in asthma, these adipokines may be 
contributing to the obese asthma phenotype, thus providing a potential 
therapeutic target for obese asthma.