Differential regulation of visfatin and adiponectin in pregnancies with normal and abnormal placental function

There is compelling evidence that insulin resistance may play a pivotal role in the development of pregnancy complications including pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). As dysregulation of visfatin and adiponectin is found in insulin resistance, both adipokines might contribute to pregnancy disorders.

Plasma levels of visfatin and adiponectin were quantified in second-trimester pregnancies with abnormal uterine perfusion and in third-trimester pregnancies with IUGR as compared to healthy controls.

Mean plasma adiponectin levels were significantly increased in women with pathological perfusion (7078 +/- 789 ng/ml) as compared to normal uterine perfusion (4481 +/- 1183 ng/ml) (P < 0.05) whereas visfatin plasma concentrations were not different between these groups. Visfatin levels were significantly elevated in women with IUGR (140.1 +/- 10 ng/ml) as compared to patients with normal outcome (65.5 +/- 11 ng/ml) (P < 0.05). By contrast, adiponectin plasma concentrations were not significantly altered in women with IUGR.

Our data support the view that the adipokines visfatin and adiponectin are differentially regulated in pregnancy complications.