Central and peripheral leptin and agouti-related protein during and after pregnancy in relation to weight change

To study changes of neuropeptides and adipokines in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum from pregnancy to postpregnancy in relation to weight changes, fat mass and glucose metabolism.

With high postpartum weight retention being a risk factor in future pregnancies and of lifelong obesity, we evaluated neuropeptide and adipokine changes in women who either gained weight or were weight stable.

Women were followed for 5 ± 1 years after pregnancy and divided into two groups, weight stable and weight gain, by weight change from start of pregnancy.

Twenty-five women (BMI 27 ± 5 kg/m² ) recruited at admission for elective caesarean section.

CSF and serum levels of agouti-related protein (AgRP), leptin and insulin, and serum levels of adiponectin and soluble leptin receptor were measured during and after pregnancy. These measurements were further related to fat mass and insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR).

S-AgRP levels during pregnancy were lower in the weight stable group and a 1 unit increase in s-AgRP was associated with 24% higher odds of pertaining to the weight gain group. After pregnancy, s-AgRP increased in the weight stable group but decreased in the weight gain group. Decreased transport of leptin into CSF during pregnancy was reversed by an increased CSF:serum leptin ratio after pregnancy. In women who returned to their prepregnancy weight, serum adiponectin increased after pregnancy and correlated negatively with HOMA-IR.

S-AgRP concentration in late pregnancy may be one factor predicting weight change after pregnancy, and circulating AgRP may be physiologically important in the long-term regulation of body weight.