Changes in plasma concentrations and mRNA expression of hepatokines fetuin A, fetuin B and FGF21 in physiological pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus

Physiol Res. 2018 Nov 28;67(Suppl 3):S531-S542. doi: 10.33549/physiolres.934017.

Abstract

We measured plasma concentrations, adipose tissue and placental mRNA expression of hepatokines fetuin A, fetuin B and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in 12 healthy pregnant women (P group), 12 pregnant women with gestational diabetes (GDM) and 10 healthy non-pregnant women (N group) to explore their potential role in the etiopathogenesis of GDM. GDM and P group had comparable BMI, C-reactive protein (CRP) and glycated hemoglobin levels while IL-10 and TNF-alpha levels were higher in GDM group. Fetuin A and fetuin B levels were higher in pregnancy as compared to N group and decreased after delivery with no apparent influence of GDM. In contrast, the pattern of changes of circulating FGF21 levels differed between GDM and P group. Fetuin A concentrations positively correlated with CRP, TNF-alpha mRNA expression in adipose tissue and IL-6 mRNA expression in placenta. Fetuin B positively correlated with CRP. FGF21 levels correlated positively with IFN-gamma mRNA in adipose tissue and inversely with IL-8 mRNA in the placenta. Taken together, fetuin A and fetuin B levels were increased during pregnancy regardless of the presence of GDM. In contrast, FGF21 patterns differed between healthy pregnant women and GDM patients suggesting a possible role of this hepatokine in the etiopathogenesis of GDM.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Diabetes, Gestational / blood*
  • Diabetes, Gestational / diagnosis
  • Diabetes, Gestational / genetics
  • Female
  • Fetal Blood / metabolism
  • Fetuin-B / biosynthesis*
  • Fetuin-B / genetics
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / biosynthesis*
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / blood*
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / genetics
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / blood
  • Pregnancy
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Young Adult
  • alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein / biosynthesis*
  • alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein / genetics

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • FETUB protein, human
  • Fetuin-B
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • RNA, Messenger
  • alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein
  • fibroblast growth factor 21
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors