The role of periostin, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), nesfatin-1, and NUCB2 in asthma and obesity

Abstract

Background: Obesity has a significant impact on asthma incidence and control. Nesfatin-1, encoded by the nucleobindin-2 (NUCB2) gene, regulates energy balance. This study aimed to evaluate NUCB2 gene polymorphism (rs757081 C > G) and its association with serum levels of nesfatin-1 and inflammatory cytokines in obese and non-obese patients with asthma. Methods: Obese (n = 43) and non-obese (n = 44) patients diagnosed with asthma and 45 control subjects were included. Nesfatin-1, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and periostin were studied in serum samples using the ELISA method. NUCB2 polymorphism was studied by PCR method. Results: No difference was found between groups regarding NUCB2 polymorphism (CC, CG, GG) (p = 0.497). Nesfatin-1 levels were higher in the obese asthmatics than in the control (median 1.69 ng/ml vs 1.36 ng/ml, p = 0.004). ECP levels were higher in the obese asthmatics (median 7.67 ng/ml) compared to non-obese asthmatic (median 1.98 ng/ml) and control (median 1.45 ng/ml) (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively). Periostin was found to be lower in both obese (median 0.34 ng/ml) and non-obese asthmatics (median 0.35 ng/ml) compared to control (median 1.2 ng/ml) (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). There was a positive correlation between BMI and nesfatin-1 (r = 0.33, p < 0.001) and ECP (r = 0.58, p < 0.001). In regression analysis, ECP (95% CI: 0.19 to 0.75, p = 0.005) and periostin (95% CI: 4.5 to 375.1, p = 0.003) were independent predictors for asthma. Conclusion: Nesfatin-1 and ECP have been shown to be increased in obese asthmatics. ECP and periostin have been identified as a predictor of asthma independent of obesity.