Cysteinyl Leukotrienes (CysLTs): Role in Obesity-Induced Asthma

Epidemiological studies associate obesity with onset of asthma, especially in obese children, suggesting obesity as the risk factor for asthma. Obesity-induced chronic inflammation has been implicated in the lung inflammation, yet specific mediators and mechanisms are lacking. Obesity is associated with increased expression of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) pathway and increased Leukotrienes (LTs) production has been observed in obese asthma patients. However, the precise mechanism that predisposes lungs inflammation in obese is not clearly understood. This article discusses the production and regulation of LTs in obese individuals and presents probable mechanisms regarding the role of LTs in lung inflammation that may lead to obesity-induced asthma. Leukotrienes are well known mediators of asthma but their role in obesity-induced asthma is not clearly understood and thus needs further research. Since efficient antagonists and inhibitors of 5-LO pathways are known, understanding of molecular mechanism of LTs, especially Cysteinyl-LTs, in obesity-induced asthma could lead to optimal treatment regimens for the prevention and treatment of asthma in obese individuals.