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Recent studies have highlighted the possible involvement of leptin in inflammation. The leptin receptor is also expressed by alveolar macrophages, T lymphocytes and bronchial epitelial cells, suggesting a possible role in the cascade of airway inflammation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the levels of leptin in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) from asthmatic, normal-and overweight children, in relationship with airway inflammation. 15 asthmatic non-obese children, 15 healthy non-asthmatic non-obese children, 11 obese children with asthma (OA) and 20 obese children without asthma (ONA) were enrolled. Body impedance of body weight, EBC collection, FeNO, spirometry and a blood sampling for serum leptin were assessed. Leptin EBC levels were significantly higher (3.9 ng ml− 1±1.3) in overweight children than those obese with asthma (3.6 ng ml− 1±1.6; p= 0 …