Plasma lipocalin-2 levels in pregnancy

OBJECTIVE. To evaluate plasma levels of lipocalin-2, which is a novel adipokine associated with obesity and insulin resistance, in pregnant women.

Prospective case-control study.

University hospital.

Pregnant women with pre-pregnancy body mass index >25kg/m(2) (overweight; n=29) and body mass index <25kg/m(2) (n=27), whose gestational ages were between 24 and 28 weeks, as study groups and nonpregnant control women with body mass index <25kg/m(2) (n=29).

Plasma lipocalin-2 levels, fasting plasma glucose and fasting plasma insulin levels; homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index and fasting plasma glucose/fasting plasma insulin ratio were measured for each subject.

Comparisons among the groups and correlations for lipocalin-2 and the parameters of insulin resistance.

Plasma lipocalin-2 levels among the pregnant women were significantly higher than those of the control group (p<0.001 for both group comparisons). Lipocalin-2 levels were significantly higher in the group with pre-pregnancy body mass index >25kg/m(2) compared with the group with pre-pregnancy body mass index <25kg/m(2) (p=0.003). Lipocalin-2 levels were positively correlated with homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index and fasting plasma insulin and negatively correlated with fasting plasma glucose/fasting plasma insulin ratio in both pregnant groups.

Lipocalin-2 was found to be higher in pregnant women, especially when pre-pregnancy body mass index was >25kg/m(2) , and it was correlated with markers of insulin resistance.