Adipocyte-Specific Fatty Acid-Binding Protein (AFABP) and Chemerin in Association with Gestational Diabetes: A Case-Control Study

J Diabetes Res. 2021 Apr 28:2021:5533802. doi: 10.1155/2021/5533802. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Background: Adipocytokines participate in regulating the inflammatory response in glucose homeostasis and type 2 diabetes. However, among these peptides, the role of adipocyte-specific fatty-acid-binding protein (AFABP), chemerin, and secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) in gestational diabetes (GDM) has not been fully investigated.

Method: The maternal fasting level of adipocytokines of 53 subjects with GDM and 43 normal pregnant (NGDM) was measured using multiplex immunoassay at 24-28 weeks, before delivery, immediate postpartum, and 2-6 months postpuerperium.

Results: Higher levels of AFABP were associated with a 3.7-fold higher risk of GDM. Low chemerin levels were associated with a 3.6-fold higher risk of GDM. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) was inversely associated with the risk of GDM. SPARC had no association with GDM. AFABP was directly correlated to interleukin-6 (r = 0.50), insulin resistance index (r = 0.26), and body mass index (r = 0.28) and inversely correlated to C-reactive protein (r = -0.27). Chemerin levels were directly and strongly correlated with IL-10 (r = 0.41) and interleukin-4 (r = 0.50) and inversely correlated to insulin resistance index (r = -0.23) in GDM but not NGDM. In the longitudinal assessment, there were no significant differences in AFABP and chemerin concentrations of both studied groups.

Conclusion: AFABP and chemerin were associated with a higher risk of GDM. These adipocytokines were related to insulin resistance, body mass index, and inflammation in pregnant women diagnosed with GDM.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Body Mass Index
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chemokines / blood*
  • Diabetes, Gestational / blood*
  • Diabetes, Gestational / diagnosis
  • Diabetes, Gestational / physiopathology
  • Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins / blood*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoassay
  • Inflammation Mediators / blood
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Osteonectin / blood
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Pregnancy
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Chemokines
  • FABP4 protein, human
  • Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Osteonectin
  • RARRES2 protein, human
  • SPARC protein, human
  • C-Reactive Protein