Adropin concentrations in term pregnancies with normal, restricted and increased fetal growth.
OBJECTIVE
To determine levels of adropin (implicated in insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction) in intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR), large (LGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) pregnancies.


METHODS
Cord-blood (UC) adropin and insulin concentrations were measured in 30 IUGR, 30 LGA and 20 AGA full-term infants and their mothers (MS).


RESULTS
No significant differences in adropin concentrations were observed between the three groups. In the IUGR group MS adropin was significantly decreased when neonates had higher birth weights [b = -0.003, 95% CI -0.006 to 0.0, p = 0.043]. In all groups, MS adropin levels were positively correlated with UC ones (r = 0.282, p = 0.011) and were significantly increased in female neonates [b = 0.977, 95% CI 0.122-1.832, p = 0.026]. In the LGA group, MS insulin was negatively correlated with UC adropin (r =  -0.362 p = 0.049).


CONCLUSIONS
Increased maternal adropin levels in severe IUGR cases might represent a regulatory feedback mechanism against endothelial placental dysfunction. The positive correlation between maternal and umbilical cord adropin levels implies its transplacental transfer. Increased maternal adropin levels in female neonates could be attributed to interaction of adropin with fetal estrogens through vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The negative correlation between maternal insulin and fetal adropin levels in the LGA group is probably attributed to their respective insulin resistance.
a Department of Neonatology , Athens University Medical School , Athens , Greece and.
Stavroula
S
Baka
a Department of Neonatology , Athens University Medical School , Athens , Greece and.
Ariadne
A
Malamitsi-Puchner
a Department of Neonatology , Athens University Medical School , Athens , Greece and.
Despina D
DD
Briana
a Department of Neonatology , Athens University Medical School , Athens , Greece and.
Maria
M
Boutsikou
b Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry-Molecular Diagnostics, 2nd Department of Pediatrics , Athens University Medical School , Athens , Greece.
Antonios
A
Marmarinos
b Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry-Molecular Diagnostics, 2nd Department of Pediatrics , Athens University Medical School , Athens , Greece.
Dimitrios
D
Gourgiotis
a Department of Neonatology , Athens University Medical School , Athens , Greece and.
Theodora
T
Boutsikou
D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D001798:Blood Proteins; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism; D047109:Fetal Development; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000097:blood*; D005320:Fetal Macrosomia / Q000097:blood*; D005333:Fetus; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008297:Male; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies
D001798:Blood Proteins; C568440:Enho protein, human; D007328:Insulin; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D010455:Peptides
Endothelial dysfunction; insulin resistance; intrauterine growth restriction; large for gestational age; neonate