Abstract
The exact roles of adipokines in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and obesity are still unclear. The aim of the study was to evaluate fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) concentrations in the serum and urine of women with excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the early post-partum period, with reference to their laboratory test results, body composition, and hydration status. The study subjects were divided into three groups: 24 healthy controls, 24 mothers with EGWG, and 22 GDM patients. Maternal body composition and hydration status were evaluated by the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) method. Concentrations of FABP4, leptin, and ghrelin were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Healthy women were characterized by the lowest serum leptin concentrations and by a negative correlation between the serum and urine FABP4 levels. Serum FABP4 levels were the highest in the GDM group. Serum FABP4 and leptin concentrations correlated positively in the GDM group. The EGWG group had the highest degree of BIA disturbances in the early puerperium and positive correlations between the urine FABP4 and serum leptin and ghrelin concentrations. The physiological and pathological significance of these findings requires further elucidation.
Highlights
According to the current state of scientific knowledge, pre-pregnancy obesity and excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) as well as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have been regarded as independent risk factors for post-partum complications in both mothers and their children, which will subsequently lead to an increased risk of chronic diseases later in their lives [1,2,3,4,5]
It has been observed that women with a previous history of GDM and EGWG are much more prone to suffer from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and metabolic syndrome in the future [1,2,3,4,5]
BCMI—body cell mass index; BMI—body mass index; ∆BMI-1—gestational BMI gain; ∆BMI-2—BMI loss at 48 h after delivery; ∆BMI—BMI gain in the period from pre-pregnancy to 48 h after delivery; EGWG—excessive gestational weight gain; FABP4—fatty acid binding protein 4; GDM—gestational diabetes mellitus; HDL—high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL—low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; ND—detected below the threshold of the sensitivity of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test
Summary
According to the current state of scientific knowledge, pre-pregnancy obesity and excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) as well as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have been regarded as independent risk factors for post-partum complications in both mothers and their children, which will subsequently lead to an increased risk of chronic diseases later in their lives [1,2,3,4,5]. It has been observed that women with a previous history of GDM and EGWG are much more prone to suffer from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and metabolic syndrome in the future [1,2,3,4,5]. The lifestyle of pregnant women depends on the rate and extent of their gestational weight gain, which may result in the persistence of overweight and obesity in the postnatal period and the occurrence of new complications, including T2DM and metabolic syndrome. Half of GDM patients will develop to T2DM and obesity in the future [10]
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