Objective: To analyze the concentrations of nesfatin-1 in maternal and cord serum, to evaluate the expression of nesfatin-1 in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) from pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and those with normal glucose tolerance (NGT).
Methods: We studied a total of 50 GDM and 50 NGT subjects. The clinical features, serum nesfatin-1, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), lipid profiles were measured at the third trimester of pregnancy. The expression of nesfatin-1 in the SAT was determined by western blot.
Results: Compared with the NGT group, the GDM group showed greater levels of serum nesfatin-1, adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (AFABP), and leptin; a greater level of cord blood nesfatin-1; and a higher level of expression in SAT (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). Fasting insulin (FI) (b = 0.317, p= 0.022) and body mass index (BMI) before delivery (b = 0.367, p=0.008) were independently associated with serum nesfatin-1. Nesfatin-1 was the independent risk factor for GDM.
Conclusions: The GDM group had higher levels of maternal serum and cord blood nesfatin-1, and greater nesfatin-1 expression in SAT. Nesfatin-1 is closely related to obesity and IR in pregnancy.
Keywords: Adipocytokine; gestational diabetes mellitus; insulin resistance; nesfatin-1.