Adiponectin/leptin ratio and insulin resistance in pregnancy

Abstract

Objective: Pregnancy is characterized by progressive insulin resistance. The present study evaluated whether the adiponectin/leptin ratio is associated with insulin resistance in pregnancy, since this ratio has been shown to be associated with insulin resistance in obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, adiponectin and leptin concentrations were measured in pregnant women using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Insulin resistance was assessed using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).

Results: Mean ± SD age of the participants (n = 74) was 30.76 ± 4.27 years, mean ± SD gestational age was 26.81 ± 3.52 weeks and median body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy was 22.68 kg/m(2) (interquartile range 20.75-26.79 kg/m(2)). There was a significant correlation between the HOMA-IR and leptin concentration, but not between the HOMA-IR and adiponectin concentration. There was a significant inverse correlation between the HOMA-IR and adiponectin/leptin ratio. The adiponectin/leptin ratio was inversely correlated with BMI before pregnancy.

Conclusion: The adiponection/leptin ratio inversely correlates with HOMA-IR in pregnancy.