An Increase in Plasma Adipsin Levels Is Associated With Higher Cumulative Dust Exposure and Airway Obstruction in Foundry Workers

Objective The aim of the study was to assess whether plasma adipokine levels (adipsin, adiponectin, leptin, and resistin) are associated with pulmonary function in foundry workers. Methods We examined 65 dust-exposed foundry workers and 40 nonexposed controls and analyzed their lung function and plasma adipokine levels at baseline and after approximately 7 years of follow-up. Results A higher increase in plasma adipsin was associated with the development of airway obstruction in exposed subjects during follow-up after adjusting for body mass index changes during the follow-up period. Furthermore, the increase in adipsin levels was positively associated with cumulative dust exposure even after adjusting for smoking and body mass index changes during follow-up (P = 0.015). Conclusion The results suggest that plasma adipsin is involved in the pathogenesis of subclinical airway inflammation and the development of chronic obstruction and is induced by occupational dust exposure.