title: Plasma adiponectin concentrations in non-pregnant, normal and overweight pregnant women.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Perinatology Research Branch, Intramural Division, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Hutzel Women's Hospital, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Jyh Kae
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Nien
authors.forename: Shali
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazaki-Tovi
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: Offer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Erez
authors.forename: Juan Pedro
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Kusanovic
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gotsch
authors.forename: Beth L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Pineles
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Edwin
authors.forename: Moshe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mazor
authors.forename: Jimmy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Espinoza
authors.forename: Bo Hyun
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Sonia S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Hassan
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin