Photo Credit: Ibreakstock

Genetic study links elevated adiponectin to reduced risk of interstitial lung disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, while revealing limited evidence for direct associations between six adipokines and other pulmonary conditions, providing nuanced insights into potential therapeutic avenues.

The following is a summary of “Association between adipokines and pulmonary diseases: a Mendelian randomization study,” published in the January 2024 issue of Pulmonology by Wu et al.

The role of adipokines in the pathogenesis of lung diseases is paramount; however, their specific associations with distinct pulmonary conditions remain elusive. During their research, the researchers meticulously analyzed genetic variations linked to adipokines, scrutinizing their potential relationships with various lung ailments, encompassing interstitial lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, lung cancer, sleep apnea, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. 

Leveraging data from publicly available genome-wide studies and employing rigorous Mendelian randomization techniques, including inverse variance weighting, weighted median, and MR-Egger regression methods, the study group executed comprehensive analyses and conducted sensitivity checks to validate their results. Their investigation, anchored in the extensive FinnGen database encompassing 198,955 participants, unveiled 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with adiponectin. The significant risk reduction in interstitial lung disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis associated with elevated adiponectin levels was noteworthy among their findings. Despite this compelling link, their study revealed limited evidence to establish a direct cause-effect relationship between six adipokines and several other pulmonary conditions, including sarcoidosis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and sleep apnea syndrome. 

In conclusion, their research brings to light a reverse association, demonstrating that heightened adiponectin levels are inversely correlated with the likelihood of developing interstitial lung disease, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. These insights contribute to the nuanced understanding of the intricate interplay between adipokines and pulmonary health, shedding light on potential therapeutic avenues and underscoring the need for further investigations to elucidate these complex associations. 

Source: bmcpulmmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12890-024-02863-8