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Purpose: Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is a circulating retinol transporter that is strongly associated with insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the RBP4 and retinol level in rat model of gestational diabetes mellitus and the relationship between retinol-free RBP4 (apo-RBP4), retinol-bound RBP4 (holo-RBP4) and insulin resistance., Methods: Pregnant rats were administered streptozotocin to induce diabetes. The RBP4 and retinol levels were evaluated in GDM and normal pregnant rats. After then, normal pregnant rats were divided into two groups to receive either apo-RBP4 or vehicle injection. The metabolic parameters and insulin signaling in adipose tissue, skeletal muscle and liver were determined in apo-RBP4 and control groups. Primary human adipocytes were cultured in vitro with different proportions of apo-RBP4 and holo-RBP4 for 24 h. The interaction between RBP4 and STRA6 was assessed by co-immunoprecipitation, and the expression of JAK-STAT pathway and insulin signaling were detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence., Results: We found increases in serum RBP4 levels and the RBP4:retinol ratio but not in the retinol levels in GDM rats. Exogenous apo-RBP4 injection attenuated insulin sensitivity in pregnant rats. In vitro, a prolonged interaction between RBP4 and STRA6 was observed when apo-RBP4 was present. In response to increased apo-RBP4 levels, cells showed elevated activation of the JAK2/STAT5 cascade and SOCS3 expression, decreased phosphorylation of IR and IRS1, and attenuated GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake upon insulin stimulation., Conclusion: Apo-RBP4 is a ligand that activates the STRA6 signaling cascade, inducing insulin resistance in GDM.

The present study aimed to explore the association between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and Chemerin, by analysing Chemerin level, clinical data and biochemical parameters among 46 GDM patients and 43 controls. It was found that the Chemerin levels from cord blood, peripheral blood, adipose tissue and placenta tissue were all significantly higher in the GDM group than those in the control group (p < .05 for all). Maternal insulin resistance (IR) index and serum inflammation parameters, including C-reactive protein and white blood cells, were also higher in GDM group (p < .05 for all). Moreover, maternal IR index and circulating insulin level were both positively correlated with maternal circulating Chemerin level (p < .05 for both). Our findings suggest that Chemerin, associated with IR and more expressed in GDM women, might participate in the pathogenesis of GDM. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject: Chemerin, a recently-discovered adipocytokine, has been widely-considered to be involved in metabolic diseases, and several studies have investigated it in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), but with no consensus about the level comparison between GDM and controls. What the results of this study add: The present case-control study found that the levels of Chemerin from cord blood, peripheral blood, adipose tissue and placenta tissue were all significantly higher in the GDM group. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research: Also, the circulating Chemerin level was positively correlated with insulin index, which we thought would add to the evidence that Chemerin does be associated with GDM, contributing to elucidating the pathogenesis of GDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/Introduction Visfatin is a newly discovered adipocytokine hormone, which exerts an insulin-like effect by binding to the insulin receptor-1. However, the role of visfatin in human gestational diabetes mellitus ( GDM) remains controversial. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the correlation between serum visfatin and metabolism of glucose and lipid in GDM. Materials and Methods This was a prospective study. A total of 38 GDM patients and 35 age- and body mass index-matched controls were studied between January 2012 and October 2013. Fasting serum levels of visfatin, fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c and lipid profile were measured. Two-tailed t-tests and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used to analyze the data. Results Perinatal visfatin levels were negatively correlated with fasting plasma glucose, insulin resistance index and triglycerides in controls ( r = −0.47, −0.51, −0.57, respectively; P < 0.05), and positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( r = 0.32, P < 0.05). A positive correlation with visfatin level only appeared in weight gain and body mass index in women with GDM ( r = 0.36, 0.45, respectively; P < 0.05). Conclusions Visfatin appears to be involved in glucose and lipid metabolism regulation and insulin resistance, suggesting a role in GDM pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: Seventy-six women with and without GDM were recruited. Their blood samples were collected to detect RBP4, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (Fins), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA 1c) levels. Results: RBP4 (21.42 ± 3.846 vs. 39.08 ± 8.293 µg/ml), FPG, Fins, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), HbA 1c, and TG levels were higher, while HDL levels were lower in women with GDM (p < 0.01). In healthy controls, RBP4 concentrations were positively correlated with HOMA-IR and TG and inversely correlated with FPG and HDL (p < 0.05). Serum concentrations of RBP4 in women with GDM were inversely correlated with TC and positively correlated with maternal weight gain during pregnancy (p < 0.05). The ROC curve was drawn with a correct rate of 93.4%. Conclusions: Concentrations of serum RBP4 were significantly higher in women with GDM, suggesting that elevated RPB4 level may play a role in the pathogenesis of GDM. Meanwhile, RBP4 might be a good predictor of GDM. RBP4 is correlated with TG and HDL, indicating that RBP4 plays a role in alterations of lipid metabolism in pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]