Serum levels of adipocyte fatty acid binding protein are increased in gestational diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
Adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (AFABP) was recently introduced as a novel adipokine, serum levels of which independently correlate with the development of the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease in humans. In the current study, we investigated serum concentrations of AFABP in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) as compared with healthy pregnant controls matched for gestational age and fasting insulin.


METHODS
AFABP was determined by ELISA in controls (n=80) and GDM patients (n=40) and correlated to clinical and biochemical measures of renal function, glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as inflammation, in both groups.


RESULTS
Median serum AFABP concentrations were significantly elevated in subjects with GDM (22.9 microg/l) as compared with healthy pregnant controls (18.3 microg/l; P<0.05). Furthermore, GDM was independently associated with AFABP concentrations in multiple regression analysis (P<0.05). In addition, markers of adiposity (body mass index, serum leptin), triglycerides and serum creatinine were independently associated with circulating AFABP (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal AFABP concentrations are significantly increased in GDM. The adipokine might contribute to the increased metabolic and cardiovascular risk of the disease.
Department of Internal Medicine III, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Susan
S
Kralisch
Holger
H
Stepan
Jürgen
J
Kratzsch
Michael
M
Verlohren
Hans-Joachim
HJ
Verlohren
Kathrin
K
Drynda
Ulrike
U
Lössner
Matthias
M
Blüher
Michael
M
Stumvoll
Mathias
M
Fasshauer
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000097:blood*; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D016014:Linear Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D052243:Resistin / Q000097:blood; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
D052242:Adiponectin; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins; D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin; D052243:Resistin; D014280:Triglycerides; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002784:Cholesterol; D003404:Creatinine