Circulating Pro-Neurotensin in gestational diabetes mellitus

Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2019 Jan;29(1):23-29. doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2018.09.011. Epub 2018 Oct 20.

Abstract

Background and aims: Pro-Neurotensin (NT), a stable surrogate parameter of NT, has recently been introduced as a peptide predicting the development of obesity, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and cardiovascular mortality. However, regulation of Pro-NT in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains uninvestigated.

Methods and results: Pro-NT was quantified in 74 women with GDM, 74 healthy, gestational age-matched, pregnant controls, as well as in a second cohort comprising of 74 healthy, non-pregnant control women, using a chemiluminometric sandwich immunoassay. Pro-NT was correlated to measures of obesity, hypertension, glucose and lipid metabolism, renal function, and inflammation. Mean ± standard deviation of circulating Pro-NT levels were not significantly different in women with GDM (100.2 ± 75.7 pmol/l) as compared to healthy, pregnant controls (103.2 ± 37.4 pmol/l) and healthy, non-pregnant female controls (105.9 ± 38.9 pmol/l) (p = 0.661). Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and creatinine positively correlated with serum Pro-NT in multivariate regression analysis. In contrast, free fatty acids (FFA) were inversely correlated with circulating Pro-NT. Results sustained adjustment for pregnancy status.

Conclusions: Circulating Pro-NT is not independently associated with GDM, but is with HOMA-IR, creatinine, and FFA even after adjustment for pregnancy status.

Keywords: Gestational diabetes mellitus; Insulin resistance; Neurotensin; Pregnancy; Pro-Neurotensin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Creatinine / blood
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diabetes, Gestational / blood*
  • Diabetes, Gestational / diagnosis
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / blood
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Neurotensin / blood*
  • Pregnancy
  • Protein Precursors / blood*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Blood Glucose
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified
  • Insulin
  • Protein Precursors
  • proneurotensin
  • Neurotensin
  • Creatinine