Circulating vaspin and IL-6 concentrations in second trimester pregnancy with gestational diabetes

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to compare serum vaspin and IL-6 concentrations between pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT), as well as with non-pregnant healthy subjects (NC). Materials and Methods: A total of 85 women were included into this study. These patients were divided into groups: GDM group (n=30), patients who had GDM, NGT group, (n=28), pregnant women with normal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) values, NC group (n=27), and non-pregnant controls. Vaspin and IL-6 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Serum vaspin levels did not differ between women with GDM (5.1 ± 2.36 ng/ml) and NGT (5.43 ± 1.88 ng/ml), but were significantly higher than those in the NC group (2.03 ± 2.34 ng/ml, p < 0.01). Circulating vaspin did not significantly correlate with markers of adiposity (BMI) and insulin resistance (fasting plasma glucose, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) in the GDM and NGT groups. However, vaspin was positively correlated to total cholesterol and triglycerides in these two groups, and was significantly negatively correlated with serum IL-6 levels in the GDM group. Conclusions: Serum vaspin concentrations were elevated in pregnant women irrespective of the status of their glucose tolerance. Vaspin may be a marker of lipid metabolism, and may be affected by proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 during pregnancy.