Chronic treatment with inhaled corticosteroids does not modify leptin serum levels.

AIM: To assess the influence of a short-term treatment with low-dose inhaled corticosteroids on leptin serum levels. PATIENTS: 14 prepubertal children, mean age 5.1 +/- 2.4 years, treated with inhaled fluticasone propionate 100 microg b.d. and 16 prepubertal children, mean age 8.3 +/- 1.3 years, treated with inhaled budesonide 200 microg b.d. METHODS: All children underwent a CRH test with evaluation of leptin, cortisol and ACTH levels before and after 3 months of treatment. RESULTS: Fluticasone group: no difference was found between basal cortisol level, delta and area under the curve (AUC) before and after treatment, though cortisol peak was significantly lower following treatment. Basal ACTH level, peak and AUC were significantly lower after treatment. Budesonide group: no statistically significant difference in any of the parameters regarding cortisol and ACTH secretion was observed before and after treatment. No significant changes in basal serum leptin levels and AUC were observed following treatment in both groups. Furthermore no significant variation in leptin level was observed during both CRH tests. DISCUSSION: Leptin secretion does not seem to be affected by low-dose inhaled corticosteroids; moreover leptin does not seem to be involved in the response of the HPA axis to stress.