Gestational diabetes is associated with depressed adiponectin levels.
OBJECTIVE
Adiponectin is a 29-kd adipocyte-secreted protein that has been linked to insulin resistance in obesity and diabetes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate adiponectin levels in the insulin-resistant state of diabetes in gestation.


METHODS
Term, gravid subjects with diabetes (n = 31; age, 30.0 +/- 0.9 years; weight, 98.8 +/- 4.6 kg) and healthy, term, gravid subjects (n = 27; age, 26.1 +/- 1.1 years; weight, 91.2 +/- 3.78 kg) were examined. The diabetes group consisted of 11 class A1, 11 class A2, and nine class B subjects. Plasma insulin, glucose, adiponectin, and leptin were measured on samples obtained immediately before Cesarean or vaginal delivery. Data were presented as means +/- SE, and significance is set at P < or = .05.


RESULTS
We observed decreased adiponectin levels in class A2 (4.93 +/- 0.58 microg/mL; P = .013) and class B diabetics (3.33 +/- 0.56 microg/mL; P = .001) as compared to controls (8.17 +/- 0.82 microg/mL), while a nonsignificant decrease was also observed in class A1 (6.58 +/- 1.13 microg/mL; P = .213). When grouping all gravid subjects, we observed that non-Caucasian subjects (n = 42) (5.51 +/- 0.51 microg/mL; P = .003) had lower adiponectin levels than Caucasian subjects (n = 16) (8.88 +/- 1.11 microg/mL). Within the non-Caucasian group, we found significantly lower adiponectin levels in diabetic gravid subjects (class A2: 4.24 +/- 0.75 microg/mL; P = .044; and class B: 3.33 +/- 0.56 microg/mL; P = .005) compared with nondiabetic gravid subjects (7.05 +/- 0.80 microg/mL).


CONCLUSIONS
Class A2 and B gestational diabetes are associated with suppressed levels of adiponectin, similar to that found in other insulin-resistant states (type II diabetes and obesity).
Thyfault
John P
JP
Department of Physiology, East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, North Carolina 27858, USA.
Hedberg
Elizabeth M
EM
Anchan
Raymond M
RM
Thorne
Olga P
OP
Isler
Christy M
CM
Newton
Edward R
ER
Dohm
G Lynis
GL
deVente
James E
JE
D052242:Adiponectin; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000097:blood; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors
D052242:Adiponectin; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins