[Maternal plasma leptin levels and their relationship to insulin and glucose in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus and gestational impaired glucose tolerance].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the changes in leptin levels and the relationship between the substance and insulin and glucose in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and gestational impaired glucose tolerance (GIGT).


METHODS
Radio immunoassay was used to measure the leptin levels at fasting and 3 h after oral glucose load (50 g) in 36 patients with GDM and GIGT, and also in 24 normal pregnant women. In each pregnant women, fasting serum insulin levels and glycosylated haemoglobin values were measured by electrochemiluminescent immunoassays and pressure liquid chromatography (LPLC) respectively, glucose levels 1 h after the administration of glucose by glucose oxidase method.


RESULTS
The serum leptin levels in pregnant women with GDM and GIGT and normal pregnant women were (14.9 +/- 4.3) micro g/L and (10.0 +/- 1.8) micro g/L, respectively, suggesting the serum leptin levels were significantly higher in pregnant women with GDM and GIGT than in normal controls. The levels of fasting serum insulin, glycosylated haemoglobin values and plasma glucose levels obtained 1h after oral administration of 50 g glucose were (12.9 +/- 4.3) mU/L, (6.1 +/- 1.1)%, (11.0 +/- 1.4) mmol/L, respectively, whereas the corresponding values in normal controls were (8.6 +/- 3.2) mU/L, (4.5 +/- 1.0)%, (7.8 +/- 1.2) mmol/L. A positive correlation was found between maternal serum leptin levels and fasting serum insulin levels in pregnant women with GDM and GIGT (r = 0.835, P < 0.01). A positive correlation was also found between maternal leptin concentrations and glycosylated haemoglobin values, as well as between leptin levels and plasma glucose levels obtained 1 h after the administration of 50g glucose in women with GDM and GIGT (r = 0.758, P < 0.01; r = 0.561, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Leptin levels are elevated in pregnant women with GDM and GIGT compared with healthy pregnant women, a positive and significant correlation was found between the maternal leptin levels and fasting insulin levels, as well as between the maternal leptin levels and plasma glucose levels obtained 1 h after the administration of 50 g glucose in women with GDM and GIGT.
Liu
Zeng-juan
ZJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China.
Liu
Pei-qiu
PQ
Ding
Yu
Y
Wang
Ai-min
AM
Zhang
Jing-jing
JJ
Zhao
Xiu-fen
XF
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000097:blood*; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012016:Reference Values
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin