Adiponectin levels in gestational diabetes mellitus and in pregnant women without glucose intolerance.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to determine serum adiponectin levels among patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and normal pregnant women without glucose intolerance, and to investigate the relationship between these levels and clinical factors at the time of the diagnosis, at delivery and in the post-partum period.


METHODS
The subjects' serum adiponectin concentration was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method at 24th-28th week of gestation, at delivery (in maternal circulation and the umbilical cord) and 24 h after delivery. The relationship between these groups' measurements and other established clinical-laboratory factors were investigated.


RESULTS
Serum adiponectin concentrations were significantly lower (p = 0.02) in GDM patients compared with patients with normal glucose tolerance at 24th-28th week of gestation. During delivery, maternal serum adiponectin concentrations were significantly lower (p = 0.03) in GDM patients compared with patients with normal glucose tolerance. In the post-partum period, serum adiponectin concentrations were significantly higher (p = 0.009) in GDM patients compared with patients with normal glucose tolerance. Umbilical cord adiponectin concentrations were significantly lower (p = 0.005) in GDM patients compared with patients with normal glucose tolerance.


CONCLUSIONS
Adiponectin concentrations in GDM patients' circulation were regulated by changes in glucose and insulin metabolism. A reduction in serum adiponectin levels seems to play a role in GDM patients' insulin resistance.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perinatology Division, Celal Bayar University, School of Medicine, Manisa, Turkey.
Halil G
HG
Pala
Elbistan Government Hospital, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
Yılmaz
Y
Ozalp
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Dokuz Eylul University, School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey.
Abdullah S
AS
Yener
Celal Bayar University, Vocational School of Health Sciences, Manisa, Turkey.
Gul
G
Gerceklioglu
Biochemistry Department, Dokuz Eylul University, School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey.
Sezer
S
Uysal
Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Dokuz Eylul University, School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey.
Ata
A
Onvural
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism; D018149:Glucose Intolerance; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy
D052242:Adiponectin; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin