The role of visfatin in the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes (GDM)

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is defined as a glucose intolerance of varying severity with onset or first recognition during pregnancy. Two major metabolic disorders: insulin resistance and beta-cells dysfunction, play currently major role in pathogenesis of GDM. Adipose tissue is an organ involved in the production of adipokines, which have various influence on metabolism of glucose and lipids. Visfatin is an adipokine mainly produced and secreted by the fat tissue. It exerts an insulin-like effect by binding to the insulin receptor-1 and have hypoglycemic effect. Visfatin appears to be an important factor in the pathophysiology of GDM. The aim of this article is to review the literature concerning the relationship between the adipokine mentioned above and GDM, and to clarify its role in the pathophysiology of GDM.