Resistin: a hormone which induces insulin resistance is increased in normal pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
Resistin, a newly discovered adipokine, is thought to play a key role in the regulation of insulin resistance. The objectives of this study were to develop a nomogram of maternal plasma concentrations of resistin from 11 weeks of gestation to term and to determine whether resistin concentrations differ between normal and overweight pregnant women.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, plasma concentrations of resistin were determined in normal pregnant women of normal body mass index (BMI 18.5-24.9; n=261), overweight pregnant women (BMI > or =25; n=140), and non-pregnant women of normal BMI (n=40). Blood samples were collected once from each woman between the first trimester and term. Percentiles for resistin concentration were determined for five pre-specified windows of gestational age. Plasma resistin concentration was determined by immunoassay. Non-parametric statistics were used for analysis.


RESULTS
The median maternal plasma concentration of resistin between 11 to 14 weeks of gestation in women of normal weight was significantly higher than non-pregnant women; the plasma concentration of resistin increased with gestational age.


CONCLUSIONS
Normal pregnant women have a higher median plasma concentration of resistin than non-pregnant women and the concentration of this adipokine increases with advancing gestation. Alterations in the maternal plasma concentration of resistin during pregnancy could contribute to metabolic changes of pregnancy.
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
Kusanovic
Juan Pedro
JP
Erez
Offer
O
Gotsch
Francesca
F
Pineles
Beth L
BL
Friel
Lara A
LA
Espinoza
Jimmy
J
Goncalves
Luis
L
Santolaya
Joaquin
J
Gomez
Ricardo
R
Hong
Joon-Seok
JS
Edwin
Samuel
S
Soto
Eleazar
E
Richani
Karina
K
Mazor
Moshe
M
Hassan
Sonia S
SS
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D049451:Nomograms; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D052243:Resistin / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
D052243:Resistin