Pre-pregnancy BMI but not mild stress directly influences Interleukin-6 levels and insulin sensitivity during late pregnancy.

Julia Hartkopf,Franziska Schleger,Ralf Veit,Muriel Breuer,Ilena Bauer,Jan Pauluschke-Fröhlich,Louise Fritsche,Nathalie Schneider,Andreas Fritsche,Hubert Preissl,Andreas Peter

doi:10.31083/j.fbl2702056

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of maternal stress during pregnancy on maternal insulin sensitivity and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in pregnant women (N = 277) in dependence of pre-pregnancy Body-Mass-Index (BMI). Gestational diabetes was diagnosed in 80 women. We used the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-D) to investigate maternal stress during pregnancy with a higher scoring indicating higher maternal stress level. IL-6 and cortisol were measured and maternal insulin sensitivity was assessed with the non-esterified fatty acid insulin sensitivity index (NEFA-ISI). Generalized Linear Model analysis was used to analyze effects within different stress groups. Maternal low stress symptoms during pregnancy showed no significant association with maternal insulin sensitivity or IL-6. Higher cortisol levels during pregnancy were associated with elevated IL-6 concentrations. Pre-pregnancy BMI had the strongest positive effect on IL-6 levels and was negatively associated with insulin sensitivity during pregnancy. Therefore, preconceptional interventions to reduce BMI are needed to improve maternal metabolism during pregnancy.

Highlights

The cytokine Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has important functions in immune response, hematopoiesis, and inflammation [1]
We aim to investigate the relation between cortisol and IL-6 as well as cortisol and insulin sensitivity
We found higher IL-6 in Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) compared to women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) (χ2 = 5.25 p = 0.022, beta = 0.181)

Summary

Introduction

The cytokine Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has important functions in immune response, hematopoiesis, and inflammation [1]. Inflammation and maternal stress is a risk factor for elevated IL-6 levels during pregnancy [4,5,6]. Previous studies demonstrated an association between maternal stress and metabolism of the offspring including increased risk of obesity in childhood and adulthood [7]. Even in non-pregnant subjects, a significant correlation between BMI and IL-6 levels were reported [8]. This study investigates the influence of maternal stress during pregnancy on maternal insulin sensitivity and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in pregnant women (N = 277) in dependence of pre-pregnancy Body-Mass-Index (BMI). Results: Maternal low stress symptoms during pregnancy showed no significant association with maternal insulin sensitivity or IL-6. Pre-pregnancy BMI had the strongest positive effect on IL-6 levels and was negatively associated with insulin sensitivity during pregnancy. Conclusions: preconceptional interventions to reduce BMI are needed to improve maternal metabolism during pregnancy

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion