Effects of prenatal betamethasone administration on leptin and adiponectin concentrations in maternal and fetal circulation.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of in vivo administration of prenatal betamethasone on leptin and adiponectin concentration in maternal and fetal circulation.


METHODS
Blood samples were collected from 35 pregnant women receiving betamethasone for threatened preterm delivery before and at different time points after drug administration. Cord blood was collected at delivery in infants born from mothers treated with betamethasone and in 15 infants who delivered at the same gestational age not receiving betamethasone.


RESULTS
Betamethasone caused an approximately 170% increase in maternal leptin at 24 hours after betamethasone, whereas it had no effects on adiponectin concentration. Betamethasone affects neonatal leptin and adiponectin levels in a time-dependent manner. The glucocorticoid-induced changes in the relationship between these adipokines in maternal and fetal circulation was long lasting.


CONCLUSIONS
These results provide the first evidence for in vivo effects of glucocorticoids on maternal and fetal adipokines relationship in human pregnancy.
Marinoni
Emanuela
E
Centre for Scientific Research, San Pietro Hospital, Fatebenefratelli, Rome, Italy. emanuelamarinoni@hotmail.com
Letizia
Claudio
C
Ciardo
Francesca
F
Corona
Giovanna
G
Moscarini
Massimo
M
Di Iorio
Romolo
R
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D010920:Placenta / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D052242:Adiponectin; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D020738:Leptin; D001623:Betamethasone