Maternal and neonatal omentin-1 levels in gestational diabetes.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of gestational diabetes on omentin-1 in maternal and cord plasma. As a potent mediator of insulin resistance, Omentin-1, an adipokine derived from human adipose and placental tissue, may be an important player in the pathophysiology of gestational diabetes.

Methods: This was a prospective case-control study. The study included 96 women with gestational diabetes and 96 pregnant women without. Omentin-1 was measured at the time of the oral glucose tolerance test, at 32 weeks in maternal plasma and right after delivery in umbilical cord blood by ELISA assay.

Results: Over a period of 2 years, 200 patients were enrolled. Omentin-1 levels did not significantly differ between both groups throughout the pregnancy: omentin-1 levels were 157 ± 83 ng/ml in women with gestational diabetes and 158 ± 93 ng/ml in women without gestational diabetes (p = 0.94) at time of the oral glucose tolerance test and 118 ± 77 ng/ml in women with diabetes and 150 ± 89 ng/ml in women without (p = 0.12) at 32 weeks, respectively. Both groups showed a decrease in omentin-1 levels throughout pregnancy, with a more pronounced decrease in diabetic women (13 ± 53 versus 4 ± 48 ng/ml; p = 0.5). Neonatal omentin-1 levels were significantly lower in offspring of diabetic mothers: 106 ± 61 versus 134 ± 45 ng/ml (p = 0.03).

Conclusions: There was no significant difference in omentin-1 levels between healthy and diabetic mothers throughout the pregnancy. However, we found significantly lower omentin-1 levels in offspring of diabetic mothers. This may indicate a risk for the development of insulin resistance in later life.