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Fetal adiponectin and resistin in correlation with birth weight difference in monozygotic twins with discordant
Bettina C Gohlke1, Peter Bartmann, Rolf Fimmers
1Department of Paediatrics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. gohlke-bonn@t-online.de
Insights
Newborns small for gestational age (SGA) have higher risks for adult diseases. Adiponectin levels were lower in SGA twins, suggesting a link to future insulin resistance (IR).
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neonatal Research
- Metabolic Syndrome Studies
Background:
- Newborns born small-for-gestational-age (SGA) face increased risks for adult diseases.
- Adiponectin and resistin in cord blood are implicated in insulin resistance (IR), potentially linking metabolic syndrome to SGA birth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between adipocytokines (adiponectin and resistin) and inter-twin birth weight (BW) differences in monozygotic twins.
- To explore the association of adiponectin and resistin with BW and gestational age in twins.
Main Methods:
- Studied 31 monozygotic twin pairs with twin-twin transfusion syndrome, focusing on 14 pairs with a BW difference >15% (1 SGA, 1 appropriate-for-gestational-age twin).
- Measured adiponectin and resistin levels in cord blood.
- Analyzed correlations between BW, length, adipocytokine levels, and intrapair differences (Delta).
Main Results:
- Both BW and length were positively correlated with adiponectin and resistin levels.
- SGA twins exhibited lower adiponectin concentrations compared to their appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) co-twins in 71% of cases.
- Intrapair differences in BW positively correlated with intrapair differences in adiponectin, but not resistin.
Conclusions:
- Adiponectin and resistin levels are associated with birth weight.
- Adiponectin levels are reduced in SGA children, independent of gestational age.
- Prenatal metabolic differences may predispose SGA twins to develop insulin resistance later in life.
Background:
Various studies have demonstrated an increased risk for adult diseases in newborns born small-for-gestational-age (SGA). Adiponectin and resistin can be detected in cord blood and are suggested to affect insulin resistance (IR). This might represent a link between metabolic syndrome and SGA birth.
Study Design:
We investigated the relationship between the adipocytokines and inter-twin birth weight (BW) difference of 31 monozygotic twins with twin-twin transfusion syndrome; in 14 twin pairs BW difference was >15% (1 SGA twin, 1 appropriate-for-gestational-age, AGA, twin).
Results:
BW and length of all patients were positively related to adiponectin (r = 0.57; p < 0.0001; r = 0.47; p < 0.0001) and to resistin (r = 0.31; p < 0.01; r = 0.35; p < 0.01). In 71% (10/14), the SGA twins showed lower adiponectin concentrations than their AGA co-twins (only 6/14 for resistin). To correct for gestational age we calculated the relationship between the intrapair differences (Delta) of BW and Delta of the hormones. We found Delta BW positively correlated with adiponectin (r = 0.55; p < 0.001) but not with resistin (r = 0.22; p = 0.2). Delta adiponectin was positively correlated with Delta resistin (r = 0.45; p < 0.01).
Conclusion:
These data demonstrate that adiponectin and resistin levels are associated with BW with only adiponectin levels being reduced in SGA children independently of gestational age. Prenatally different metabolic status between the twins might predispose the SGA twin to develop IR later in life.
