Maternal circulating adipokine profile and insulin resistance in women at high risk of developing gestational...

Cytokines produced by adipose and placental tissues (adipokines) have been implicated in the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). There is, however, limited research regarding the relationship between advancing pregnancy, maternal adipokine profile, insulin resistance and the development of GDM. Furthermore, no studies have investigated these parameters in women with a history of GDM who are at the highest risk of recurrence. This study examined the circulating concentrations of a number of adipokines associated with insulin resistance at two points in pregnancy, and determined whether they were altered in women who developed GDM.

Non-diabetic women with a history of GDM in a previous pregnancy (n=123) had blood drawn at 14 and 28weeks of pregnancy for GDM diagnosis, together with assessment of a range of adipokine concentrations by multiplex assay (fatty acid-binding protein 4 [FABP4], leptin, chemerin, adiponectin and resistin).

With advancing pregnancy, maternal adiponectin concentrations decreased, while leptin and resistin levels increased (p<0.05). In women who developed GDM at 28weeks of pregnancy (42%), fasting and postprandial glucose levels were already significantly elevated by 14weeks (p<0.05), while adiponectin concentrations were lower (p<0.05). Adiponectin remained lower at the time of GDM diagnosis (p<0.05), while the other adipokines were similar between groups at each timepoint.

Maternal glucose and adipokine profile is altered early in pregnancy in women with a history of GDM who subsequently develop recurrent disease.