Serum visfatin concentration is elevated in pregnant women irrespectively of the presence of gestational diabetes

Abstract

Summary Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare serum concentrations of a recently identified namely – visfatin between pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), as well as non-pregnant healthy subjects. Materials and methods: Serum visfatin concentration was measured in 61 patients with GDM, 63 pregnant subjects with NGT and 36 non-pregnant healthy women by means of an immunoassay. Results: Median visfatin levels did not differ in the women with GDM (14.8 [10.8-17.3] μg/l) and NGT (15.3 [11.8-19.4] μg/l), but were significantly higher than those found in the non-pregnant women (11.4 [8.6-15.2] μg/l, p=0.0008 vs NGT and p=0.008 vs GDM group). Visfatin concentrations correlated significantly with fasting insulin (R=0.20, p=0.01), HOMA-IR (R=0.19, p=0.02) and HOMA-%B (R=0.23, p=0.004). Stepwise regression analysis revealed that serum visfatin levels were significantly predicted only by HbA1c values (b=0.21, p=0.04). Conclusions: Serum visfatin concentrations are elevated in pregnant women, irrespectively of their glucose tolerance status. This elevation may be caused by an additional secretion of visfatin from the placenta, however other possible sources of visfatin should also be taken into account.