Alteration of maternal serum irisin levels in gestational diabetes mellitus

Objectives: The aim of our study was to compare serum irisin concentrations in pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Material and methods: This study was performed at the Tertiary Care Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, between January 2014 and April 2014. A total of 45 pregnant women with GDM (diabetes group) and 41 BMI-and age-matched healthy pregnant women (control group) were recruited. Maternal serum irisin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit at 24-28 weeks of gestation. An association between maternal serum irisin levels and metabolic parameters was analyzed. Body mass index, serum levels of glucose, insulin and irisin were tested and analyzed in the study group and controls. Results: Pregnant women with GDM had significantly higher fasting plasma glucose (p = 0.001), first-hour OGTT glucose (p = 0.001), second-hour OGTT glucose (p = 0.001), and fasting insulin (p = 0.045) levels as compared to controls. Serum irisin levels were 1.04 +/- 0.3 and 1.3 +/- 0.2 in pregnant women with GDM and healthy pregnant controls, respectively (p = 0.001). Correlation analysis between irisin levels and anthropometric and biochemical parameters in patients with gestational diabetes revealed that none of the investigated parameters correlated with serum irisin level. Conclusions: Our results suggest that serum irisin levels might be introduced as a novel marker for GDM, with decreased levels of irisin being indicative of GDM.