ObjectiveTo investigate the role of leptin receptor gene Gln223Arg polymorphism in pathogenesis of asthma. MethodsOne hundred and eighty-five asthmatic outpatients and inpatients in the Qingdao Municipal Hospital between June 2009 and May 2012 were recruited in the study.Two hundred and seven healthy volunteers were recruited as control.Peripheral blood was sampled from all subjects for measuring serum leptin level by ELISA,and analyzing leptin receptor gene Gln223Arg genotypes by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) in white blood cells. ResultsThere was significant difference in frequency distribution of leptin receptor gene Gln223Arg genotype between the asthma group and the health group (χ2=6.173,P=0.013,OR=1.697,95%CI 1.115-2.585).The GG genotype was associated with a 1.895-fold increased risk for asthma than the GA+AA genotype (χ2=7.283,P=0.007,OR=1.895,95%CI 1.187-3.024).The serum leptin level of the GG genotype group was significantly higher than that in the GA+AA genotype group[(2.56±1.47) ng/mL vs.(2.16±1.66) ng/mL]. ConclusionLeptin receptor gene Gln223Arg polymorphism is correlated with asthma, and the G allele might be the genetic factor that contributes to individual susceptibility for asthma by causing high serum leptin level.