Serum visfatin concentrations in gestational diabetes mellitus and normal pregnancy.

PURPOSE

There is conflicting data regarding visfatin in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The aim of the present study was to compare serum visfatin levels between patients with GDM and subjects with normal pregnancy and to evaluate its relationship with dietary intake and components of insulin-resistance syndrome.

METHODS

Thirty-five patients with GDM (aged 31 ± 0.8 years, BMI = 29.6) and 35 age- and body mass index-matched healthy pregnant women (aged 29 ± 0.7 years, BMI = 28.6) between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation were studied. In addition to anthropometric and dietary intake assessments, measurements of fasting plasma levels of visfatin, glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and lipid profile were performed for all subjects.

RESULTS

Plasma visfatin levels were significantly lower in pregnant women with GDM compared to healthy subjects (5.29 ± 0.47 vs. 7.76 ± 0.53, p = 0.001). After adjustment for age, maternal gestational age, body mass index, and macronutrients intake, GDM remained the independent predictor of serum visfatin concentrations (β = -1.2, p = 0.001). Serum visfatin levels were significantly correlated with log HbA1c values (r = -0.24, p = 0.03), even after adjustment for age and body mass index (β = -6.45, p = 0.05). No associations between visfatin and other parameters of the insulin-resistance syndrome as well as macronutrient intake were detectable.

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma visfatin concentrations are lower in patients with GDM and related to glycemic control reflected by HbA1c. Furthermore, visfatin does not seem to be correlated with dietary intake in pregnant women.