Colostrum and mature breast milk analysis of serum irisin and sterol regulatory element-binding proteins-1c in gestational diabetes mellitus.

We aimed to evaluate irisin and SREBP-1c levels in serum, colostrum and mature breast milk in women with and without gestational diabetes (GDM); and to relate them with maternal glucose, lipid profile and weight status of babies. GDM positive women ( = 33) and normal glucose tolerant women (NGT) ( = 33) were recruited. Maternal blood samples were collected at 28th week of gestation and later at 6-week post-partum while breast milk samples of the lactating mothers were collected within 72 hours of birth (colostrum) and at 6 weeks post-partum (mature milk). Irisin and SREBP-1c levels were analyzed by commercially available ELISA kits for all maternal samples. Lower levels of irisin were seen in serum, colostrum and mature breast milk of GDM females ( < .01). SREBP-1c profile showed a similar trend of low serum levels in GDM, however, they were undetectable in colostrum and mature breast milk. Weak to moderate correlations of serum irisin with BMI ( = 0.439;  < .001), GTT 0 hours ( = 0.403;  = .01), HbA1c ( = -0.312;  = .011), Fasting blood glucose ( = 0.992;  = .008), and baby weight at birth ( = 0.486;  < .001). Colostrum and mature breast milk irisin showed positive associations with baby weight at 6 weeks ( = 0.325;  = .017;  = 0.296;  = .022, respectively). Serum SREBP-1c at 6 weeks correlated with random blood glucose ( = 0.318;  = .009), and HbA1c (= -0.292;  = .011). All correlations were lost once we adjusted for maternal BMI. Low irisin and SREBP1-c levels may favor development of GDM in pregnant subjects. Further, low mature breast milk levels may act as a continued stressor from fetal to infant life as long as breast-feeding is continued. Further studies are required to identify the mechanistic relationship between these biomarkers and GDM.