Adiponectin/leptin ratio and insulin resistance in pregnancy

• Published in: Journal of international medical research 2013-02, Vol.41 (1), p.123-128
• Main Authors: Skvarca, A, Tomazic, M, Blagus, R, Krhin, B, Janez, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adiponectin - blood; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Confidence Intervals; Demography; Female; General pharmacology; Homeostasis; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Leptin - blood; Medical sciences; Models, Biological; Pharmaceutical technology. Pharmaceutical industry; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Pregnancy
• ISSN: 0300-0605; 1473-2300
• DOI: 10.1177/0300060513476409

Objective Pregnancy is characterized by progressive insulin resistance. The present study evaluated whether the adiponectin/leptin ratio is associated with insulin resistance in pregnancy, since this ratio has been shown to be associated with insulin resistance in obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome. Methods In this cross-sectional study, adiponectin and leptin concentrations were measured in pregnant women using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Insulin resistance was assessed using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA–IR). Results Mean ± SD age of the participants (n = 74) was 30.76 ± 4.27 years, mean ± SD gestational age was 26.81 ± 3.52 weeks and median body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy was 22.68 kg/m2 (interquartile range 20.75–26.79 kg/m2). There was a significant correlation between the HOMA–IR and leptin concentration, but not between the HOMA–IR and adiponectin concentration. There was a significant inverse correlation between the HOMA–IR and adiponectin/leptin ratio. The adiponectin/leptin ratio was inversely correlated with BMI before pregnancy. Conclusion The adiponection/leptin ratio inversely correlates with HOMA–IR in pregnancy.