[The role of insulin resistance and resistin in pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus with special attention to diabetes in pregnancy].

During pregnancy, energy metabolism is altered to meet the increased energy demand by the rapidly growing fetus. Postprandial hyperglycemia is usually observed in gestation due to the decreased insulin sensitivity. The placenta derived hormones are partially responsible for the insulin resistance. The mechanism of this event in still unclear. The results of experimental studies suggest that resistin, a novel adipose derived hormone, is the factor which causes insulin resistance in animals. The recent data shows that resistin is also synthesized in human placenta. Hence, it is assumed that by modulation of cells sensitivity to insulin, resistin may contribute to development of diabetes during pregnancy.