April - June 2011, Volume 7, Issue 2

Culha C, Gorar S, Demir Y, Serter R, Aral Y

The Importance of Serum Adiponectin Concentrations during Pregnancy and Postpartum Period in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Acta Endo (Buc) 2011, 7 (2): 173-187
doi: 10.4183/aeb.2011.173

Background. The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) continues to increase worldwide and women with a\r\nhistory of GDM are at high risk for type 2 diabetes. The role of adiponectin in GDM has not been clearly defined.\r\nObjective. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between adiponectin levels in women with GDM, and insulin resistance and glucose and lipid metabolism.\r\nMethods. Twenty-four women with GDM were compared with 20 women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Serum adiponectin level, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMAIR), and metabolic variables related to\r\nglucose and lipid metabolism were measured in the third trimester of pregnancy and 3 months after delivery.\r\nResults. Adiponectin level was significantly lower in pregnant women with GDM than in those with NGT during\r\npregnancy [6.5 (1-24) vs. 12.5 (5-18) &#956;g/mL; p < 0.001] and at 3 months postpartum [7.0 (1-21) vs. 12.5 (4-19) &#956;g/mL; p < 0.001]. HOMA-IR was higher in women with GDM during pregnancy (p = 0.001) and postpartum (p = 0.012). Insulin resistance, pre-pregnancy BMI (pr BMI), age, HDL-cholesterol during pregnancy, 2-h postprandial glucose level, insulin resistance, age and postpartum BMI during postpartum period were independently correlated with adiponectin level. Adiponectin level during pregnancy and postpartum was\r\nnegatively correlated with pr BMI.\r\nConclusion. Gestational diabetes is associated with hypoadiponectinemia during pregnancy and postpartum.\r\nHypoadiponectinemia during pregnancy may contribute to the pathogenesis of GDM.

Keywords: adiponectin, gestational diabetes mellitus

Correspondence: Cavit Culha MD, Ankara Training and Research Hospital - Endocrinology and Metabolism Department, Cebeci, Ankara, Turkey Ankara 06610, Tel: +90 312 447 26 33, Fax: +90\r\n312 363 33 96, E-mail: cavitculha@hotmail.com