Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Adipose tissue is a major source of adipocytokines. It plays an important role for the development of insulin resistance (IR). Data implicate that incretins enhance insulin sensitivity. One aspect of the pathophysiology of gestational diabetes (GDM) is IR. The relationship between adipocytokines, incretins and GDM might be closely associated.

Aim: To evaluate the coherence of adipocytokines (adiponectin and leptin), incretins (GLP-1, GIP), insulin resistance and BMI in women with previously diagnosed GDM.

Methods: We examined 126 women with previously (16–43 years ago) diagnosed GDM. BMI, incretins, adipocytokines were evaluated. IR was calculated with HOMA-IR index. Data expressed as mean±S.D. for parametric data or median (min–max) for non-parametric data. ANOVA was used to compare data between groups of three or more variables. Non-parametric data correlation analysis was performed using the Spearman’s correlation coefficient. The results were considered statistically significant at P<0.05.

Results: Women’s average age was 53.52±8.34 years (39–77 years). The coherence between adipocytokines, incretins and BMI was observed: increased BMI determined decreased adiponectin (r=−0.361, P<0.01), and increased leptin (r=0.838, P<0.01) either incretins concentrations (GIP r=0.270, P=0.01 and GLP-1 r=0.167, P=0.21). HOMA-IR was higher in obese women (r=0.641, P<0.01). Data analysed in different BMI categories (normal weight/overweight/obese): adiponectin (26.8(12.2–76.8)/21.4 (10.8–54.4)/17.9 (5.2–41.6), P<0.01), leptin (5.9(0.2–16.1)/12.5(3.8–122.1)/24.7(11.1–74.9), P<0.01), GIP (0.8(0.2–2.9)/0.97(0.2–5.2)/1.29(0.2–18.2), P=0.145), GLP-1 (0.06(0.04–21.7)/0.06(0.04–6.1)/0.06(0.04–18.2), P=0.517), HOMA-IR (2.2(0.5–4.7)/2.5(0.4–6.4)/4.6(1.2–27.2), P<0.01). No significance between adiponectin and GIP, GLP-1 was defined (r=−0.152, P=0.156/r=0.02, P=0.824). Women with lower adiponectin had higher HOMA-IR (r=−0.22, P=0.03). The correlation between leptin and GIP, GLP-1, HOMA-IR (r=0.3, P=0.05/r=0.231, P=0.03/r=0.697, P<0.01) was observed. The positive correlation between GIP, GLP-1 and HOMA-IR (r=0.388, P<0.01/r=0.352, P=0.001) was found.

Conclusion: Adipocytokines and incretins are closely linked to the amount of fat tissue in the body: increased BMI correlates with decreased adiponectin and increased leptin/incretins levels in women with previously diagnosed GDM. HOMA-IR is closely associated with leptin and incretins.