Adypocytokines in Normal and Complicated by Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Pregnancy

Issue: 1/2010

Author: M. Boyadzhieva, I. Atanasova, Tz. Tankova, K. Todorova, V. Dimitrova, S. Zaharieva

Abstract: 

Human pregnancy is characterized by insulin resistance, traditionally attributed to the effects of placental hormones. Normal pregnancy – induced insulin resistance is further enhanced by pregnancy complications, associated with disturbed placental function, such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Nowadays GDM is a problem that provokes scientific and medico-social interest because of the high risk of development of maternal and fetal complications. Throughout the world between 3 and 14% of the women develop GDM. Our unpublished data shows a prevalence of 10,2% among pregnant women with risk for developing the disorder. Compelling evidence suggests that this pregnancy disorder is associated with future development of maternal metabolic syndrome. However, the pathogenetic mechanism, underlying the association between abnormal placental development, insulin resistance, and maternal metabolic syndrome are not fully understood. A large body of evidence has recently supported the role of adipose tissue in the regulation of insulin resistance in both pregnant and nonpregnat individuals. In this respect, adypocytokines, which are adipocyte-derived hormones, have been implicated in the regulation of maternal metabolism and gestational insulin resistance. However, data concerning the pattern of adypocitokine secretion and in normal and complicated pregnancies are still limited and contradictory. Given the importance of adipose tissue and its hormones in terms of adequate metabolic control and energy we present a review of published data related to the role of adipocytokines in normal and complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus pregnancy.