Plasma adiponectin concentrations in non-pregnant, normal and overweight pregnant women.
OBJECTIVE
Adiponectin is an adipokine that has anti-diabetic, anti-atherogenic, anti-inflammatory and angiogenic properties. This hormone has been implicated in both the physiological adaptation to normal pregnancy and in obstetrical complications. The aims of this study were to determine normal maternal plasma concentrations of adiponectin throughout gestation and to explore the relationships between plasma adiponectin concentration, pregnancy, and maternal overweight.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was designed to include normal pregnant (normal weight and overweight; 11-42 weeks of gestation), and non-pregnant women. Plasma adiponectin concentration was determined by immunoassay. Non-parametric statistics were used for analysis.


RESULTS
(1) Adiponectin was detectable in the plasma of all patients; (2) there was no significant differences in the median adiponectin concentration between pregnant and non-pregnant women; (3) plasma adiponectin concentrations were negatively correlated with gestational age only among normal weight pregnant women; and (4) overweight patients had significantly lower plasma adiponectin concentrations than normal weight women.


CONCLUSIONS
Consistent with the increased insulin resistance and weight gain that occur in pregnancy, adiponectin concentrations were negatively correlated with gestational age. The results of this study and the nomogram herein presented, can serve as the basis to explore the relationship between adiponectin and pregnancy complications and facilitate the clinical use of this important adipokine.
Nien
Jyh Kae
JK
Perinatology Research Branch, Intramural Division, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Hutzel Women's Hospital, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Mazaki-Tovi
Shali
S
Romero
Roberto
R
Erez
Offer
O
Kusanovic
Juan Pedro
JP
Gotsch
Francesca
F
Pineles
Beth L
BL
Gomez
Ricardo
R
Edwin
Samuel
S
Mazor
Moshe
M
Espinoza
Jimmy
J
Yoon
Bo Hyun
BH
Hassan
Sonia S
SS
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*
D052242:Adiponectin