Inositol phosphoglycan putative insulin mediator in human amniotic fluid.
BACKGROUND
Many hormones such as insulin, insulin-like growth factors, and the glucocorticoids are involved in regulating fetal growth. Inositol phosphoglycans (IPGs), a family of putative second messengers of insulin, are reported to exert several of insulin's metabolic effects.


METHODS
A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate IPG P-type (P-IPG) in human amniotic fluid and in adult urine under physiological conditions. An amniotic fluid sample was taken from 78 women undergoing early amniocentesis and a mid-stream urine specimen was collected from 109 healthy pregnant and 66 non-pregnant women. All samples were assessed using a polyclonal antibody-based ELISA.


RESULTS
The P-IPG content was a thousand times higher in the amniotic fluid than in the urine (p < 0.0001). Urinary specimens showed a four-fold higher P-IPG content during pregnancy than in healthy non-pregnant women (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Under physiological conditions, human amniotic fluid was found to be enriched in P-IPG compared with maternal urine, suggesting a possible fetal origin. Therefore, IPGs may play a role in insulin sensitivity and fetal growth and, perhaps, be involved in some of its abnormalities such as macrosomia and intrauterine growth restriction.
Scioscia
Marco
M
Department of Molecular Pathology, Molecular Medicine Unit, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UK. marco.scioscia@tin.it
Vimercati
Antonella
A
Selvaggi
Luigi E
LE
Rodeck
Charles H
CH
Rademacher
Thomas W
TW
D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007295:Inositol Phosphates / Q000032:analysis*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000032:analysis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies
D007295:Inositol Phosphates; D011134:Polysaccharides; C028039:inositol phosphate glycan