Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Apelin is an adipokine which plays a role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis. The relationship between apelin serum concentration and dysmetabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes (T2D) is still controversial. The aim of our study was to investigate the association of apelin with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Design and methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional research that consecutively recruited subjects with GDM (n=38), without GDM pregnant (n=41), and non-pregnant healthy women (n=39).

Fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum apelin, insulin and lipids were measured. BMI and HOMA-IR were calculated for all subjects.

Results: Serum apelin levels (GDM=1.99±1.36 μg/ml, non-GDM pregnant=2.95±1.36 μg/ml, non-pregnant women=2.62±1.67 μg/ml) were significantly lower (P=0.017), HOMA-IR (P=0.024) and BMI (P<0.001) were significantly higher in the GDM group compared with both the non-GDM and the non-pregnant women.

Serum apelin levels were found to be negatively correlated with FBG (r=−0.236, P=0.010), OGTT 1 h glucose (r=−0.346, P=0.002) & 2 h glucose (r=−0.248, P=0.028), A_1C (r=−0.209, P=0.023), HOMA-IR (r=−0.360, P<0.001) and BMI (r=−0.299, P=0.001).

Conclusions: Serum apelin levels were significantly lower in the GDM group as compared with both the non-GDM pregnant and the non-pregnant healthy women. Serum apelin levels were negatively correlated with FBG, OGTT 1 & 2 h glucose, A_1C, HOMA-IR and BMI. Furthermore; the outcome of the logistic regression analysis showed that low apelin levels alone, pose a risk for developing GDM independent of other variables (Odds ratio=0.616, 95% CI=0.406–0.935, P=0.023). To clarify whether it may be an early diagnostic or at least an alarming marker of GDM, prospective studies can be planned in pregnant women to measure apelin levels periodically beginning at the first trimester and continuing until term.

Keywords

GDM, Apelin, HOMA-IR, A1C