British scientists have found a link which could explain why obese people are up to twice as likely to have asthma. The possible answer is not simply that people with asthma have more trouble exercising, according to the researchers.
The experts from King's and Imperial College, London have discovered a protein, which increases appetite in cells closely, associated with asthma. The new study pinpoints the link as lying in the molecules produced by so-called Th2 immune system cells.
And the researchers demonstrated, for the first time, that Th2 cells also produce a protein, encoded by the gene PMCH (pro-melanin-concentrating hormone), which is known to increase appetite.
"Our study provides evidence for a possible mechanism linking obesity and asthma," said the lead researcher Dr David of King's College. Professor Lee, director of the MRC-Asthma UK Centre, added: "Obesity and asthma are major health problems and clarifying the mechanisms responsible for their linkage provides important potential new opportunities for management of both conditions."
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