Maternal circulating levels of Adipocytokines and insulin resistance as predictors of gestational diabetes mellitus: preliminary findings of a longitudinal descriptive study

Purpose The present study aimed to assess the role of adipocytokines as predictive markers of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We undertook this study to explore the association of adiponectin, resistin, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and insulin resistance in the development of GDM. Methods This longitudinal descriptive study was done in the Medical College Hospital, involving the departments of Biochemistry and Gynecology. The study subjects were pregnant women with normal body mass index. They were recruited at 12-14 weeks of gestation, The healthy pregnant women were selected and were followed at 24-28 weeks for screening of GDM. The participants were categorized as healthy and GDM based on oral glucose tolerance test results. Blood samples were collected on both the occasions at 12-14 weeks and 24-28 weeks. The serum samples were analyzed for levels of insulin, adiponectin, resistin, IL-6 and TNF-alpha. Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated from serum insulin and plasma glucose values. Results The levels of HOMA-IR, resistin, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were significantly higher and level of adiponectin was significantly lower in GDM subjects in comparison to healthy pregnant women, when compared both at 12 weeks and 24 weeks. The levels of resistin, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were significantly higher and level of adiponectin was lower at 24 weeks in comparison to 12 weeks, in the healthy pregnant women as well as those with GDM . Conclusions Significant difference in the levels of adipocytokines between the healthy and GDM pregnant women suggest potential clinical application of these molecules as biomarkers of GDM. The increase or decrease in the levels of adipocytokines during the course of pregnancy in GDM subjects suggests their role in GDM and potential use as predictive markers.