Some authors put forward a hypothesis that in obesity leptin resistance may reduce the level of α-1 antitrypsin, which, in turn, enhances neutrophil elastase (NE) action, and NE overactivity results in the degradation of lung-tissue proteins, contributing to the development of pulmonary-related diseases including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder [107]. The gene discussed is LEP; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.