Serum adipsin levels in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis: preliminary data.

BACKGROUND

Several studies have outlined a possible relationship between adipokines and respiratory allergic diseases. However, there are no data about a role for adipsin in allergic rhinitis.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum adipsin levels in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), subdivided into two sub-groups: treated or not treated with sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), and in a group of healthy controls.

METHODS

The study included 110 subjects; i) 24 SLIT-treated SAR patients, ii) 62 untreated SAR patients, and iii) 24 normal subjects. All subjects were consecutively evaluated. A skin prick test and blood sampling for assessing serum adipsin levels were performed in all subjects.

RESULTS

Serum adipsin was increased in SAR patients, even though significant only in males. There was also a significant positive association between adipsin and adiponectin.

CONCLUSION

This preliminary study reports that adipsin serum levels may be increased in some SAR patients, but further functional studies should be performed.