title: Oxidized low-density lipoprotein and adiponectin levels in pregnancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was to investigate whether normal pregnancy represents a complex state of oxidative stress, inflammation and insulin resistance.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and six pregnant women, between 24th and 28th week of pregnancy (age 27.9 ± 0.4 years) (study group) and one hundred and six age-matched, healthy, non-pregnant women (control group) participated in the study. Serum levels of glucose, insulin, adiponectin, oxidized LDL (oxLDL) and lipid parameters, i.e. total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), HDL and LDL, were determined. Body mass index (BMI) and QUantitative Insulin sensitivity ChecK Index (QUICKI) were also calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pregnant women presented higher BMI values, insulin and oxLDL serum levels and lower glucose serum levels than controls. Serum levels of lipids (TC, TG, LDL and HDL) were higher in pregnant women. There was a significant positive correlation of oxLDL to adiponectin (p < 0.01) in the study group, but not in the controls, and no other significant correlation with any of the other parameters, in either of groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pregnancy is a state of insulin resistance, oxidative stress and pro-atherogenic hyperlipidemia. Adiponectin may, though, have cardioprotective role in pregnant women.
authors.affiliation: 4th Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. kali@med.auth.gr
authors.forename: Kali
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Makedou
authors.forename: Anargyros
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kourtis
authors.forename: Athina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gkiomisi
authors.forename: Konstantinos A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Toulis
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mouzaki
authors.forename: Athanasios D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Anastasilakis
authors.forename: Spyridon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gerou
authors.forename: Elpida
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gavana
authors.forename: Theodoros
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Agorastos
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C499918:ADIPOQ protein, human; D052242:Adiponectin; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein