Positive correlation between serum omentin and thrombospondin-1 in gestational diabetes despite lack of correlation with insulin resistance indices

Abstract

Gestational Diabetes (GDM) is characterized by insulin resistance and a pro-inflammatory state, both factors possible related to adipokine expression. Subjects and Methods: The study included 20 women with GDM, diagnosed according to the WHO criteria, and 23 matched for age and BMI women with normal glucose tolerance. Omentin and TSP-1 were measured by ELISA assays. Insulin resistance was assessed by HOMA and Insulin Resistance Index (IRI). Results: There were no significant differences in omentin and TSP-1 levels between subjects with GDM and controls (48.0±12.0ng/ml versus 50.2±7.9ng/ml and 2150±1661ng/ml versus 1569±1160ng/ml, p=0.64 and p=0.29, for omentin and TSP-1 in GDM and control subjects, respectively). There was no significant correlation between either omentin or TSP-1 with HOMA or IRI, however, there was a significant positive correlation between thrombospondin-1 and omentin (r=0.49, p=0.010). There was also a positive correlation between serum omentin and glucose levels at 60 and 90 minutes of OGTT, however, in the control group only (p<0.05). Conclusions: Concentrations of omentin and thrombospondin-1 seem to be inter-related in pregnancy, however, there are no differences in serum levels between women with normal glucose tolerance and those with glucose intolerance. These observations suggest that regulation of concentrations of these adipokines in pregnancy might be mediated though different mechanisms than in non-pregnant subjects.