The genetic polymorphisms and levels of adipokines and adipocytokines that influence the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus in Thai pregnant women

Abstract

IntroductionAberrant immune and inflammatory response is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). ObjectiveTo investigate the genetic polymorphisms and levels of adipokines/adipocytokines that influence the risk of developing GDM in Thai women. Research design & methodsThis case-control recruited 400 pregnant Thai women. A total of 12 gene polymorphisms at ADIPOQ, adipsin, lipocalin-2, PAI-1, resistin, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-17A, TGF-β, IL-10, IL-6, and TNF-α were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay and RNase H2 enzyme-based amplification (rhAmp) SNP assay. Serum levels of adipokines/adipocytokines were evaluated using Luminex assays. ResultsMean age, weight before and during pregnancy, body mass index before and during pregnancy, blood pressure, gestational age at blood collection, and median 50 g glucose challenge test were significantly higher in GDM women than control. Significantly lower adiponectin and higher IL-4 levels were found in GDM compared to controls (p = 0.001 and p = 0.03, respectively). The genotype frequencies of IL-17A (rs3819025) were significantly different between GDM and controls (p = 0.01). Using additive models, IL-17A (rs3819025) and.TNF-α (rs1800629) were found to be independently associated with increased risk of GDM (odds ratio [OR]: 2.867; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.171–7.017; p = 0.021; and OR: 12.163; 95 %CI: 1.368–108.153; p = 0.025, respectively). In GDM with IL-17A (rs3819025), there was a significant negative correlation with lipocalin-2 and PAI-1 levels (p = 0.038 and p = 0.004, respectively). ConclusionThe results of this study highlight the need for genetic testing to predict/prevent GDM, and the importance of evaluating adipokine/adipocytokine levels in Thai GDM women.