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. 2023 Feb 13;22(1):639-648.
doi: 10.1007/s40200-023-01188-3. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Association between serum interleukin-6, leptin and insulin in gestational diabetes mellitus - a cross- sectional study

Neha Srivastava  1 , Kalpana Singh  1 , Nisha Singh  2 , Abbas Ali Mahdi  1
Affiliations

Association between serum interleukin-6, leptin and insulin in gestational diabetes mellitus - a cross- sectional study

Neha Srivastava et al. J Diabetes Metab Disord. .

Abstract

Purpose: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a state of leptin resistance which develops a vicious cycle of hyperinsulinemia and hyperleptinemia leading to aggravation of an inflammatory situation. This study was done to find out the association between IL-6, leptin and insulin in gestational diabetes among North Indian women.

Method: This cross-sectional study included 100 GDM, 100 non-GDM and 50 non-pregnant women. DIPSI (Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group India) criteria was used for screening GDM among pregnant women. GDM and non-GDM pregnant women were further categorized into three groups according to the trimester of pregnancy. Serum IL-6, leptin and insulin were measured in all the enrolled women.

Results: Serum IL-6 levels were significantly higher among GDM women as compared to non-GDM and non-pregnant women. Although the mean serum leptin and insulin levels were higher in GDM, but the difference was not statistically significant. When GDM and non-GDM women were categorized into three trimester, serum leptin levels were found to be significantly higher in 3rd trimester (p < 0.002) and IL-6 in 1st trimester (p < 0.017) among GDM women. No correlation was found between serum IL-6, leptin and insulin in GDM.

Conclusion: Absence of any significant association between leptin and IL-6 signifies that leptin may not be associated with inflammation in gestational diabetes. However, IL-6 may serve as an early marker for screening glucose intolerance during pregnancy.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-023-01188-3.

Keywords: DIPSI criteria (Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group India); Gestational diabetes mellitus; Hyperinsulinemia; Hyperleptinemia; Proinflammatory cytokine.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interestsThe authors declare that they have no competing interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart representing the selection of GDM, non-GDM and healthy non-pregnant women
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
a Mean serum leptin and insulin level in GDM, non-GDM pregnant and healthy non-pregnant women b Mean serum IL-6 level in GDM, non-GDM pregnant and healthy non-pregnant women
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
(a) Serum leptin (b) insulin and (c) IL-6 levels among GDM, non-GDM pregnant women and healthy non-pregnant women
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
a Serum leptin and insulin level in 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester in GDM and non-GDM pregnant women *1st trimester serum leptin GDM versus non-GDM (p < 0.027) **3rd trimester serum leptin GDM versus non-GDM (p < 0.002) b Mean serum IL-6 level in 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester between GDM and non-GDM pregnant women
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Serum leptin level in 1st trimester (a) and 3rd trimester (b) of GDM and non-GDM pregnant women
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Serum IL-6 level in 1st trimester of GDM and non-GDM pregnant women
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
a Correlation of IL-6 with insulin in 2nd trimester of non-GDM pregnant women b Correlation of IL-6 with insulin in non-pregnant women
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