Resistin – 420 C/G polymorphism and serum resistin level in Iranian patients with gestational diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: Resistin is a circulating adipokine with insulin-antagonizing effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) -420C > G in the resistin gene with serum resistin levels, insulin resistance, and risk of gestational diabetes (GDM) in Iranian population. METHOD: 75 GDM patients and 70 healthy pregnant women were enrolled in this study. Genotyping for SNP- 420C > G in the resistin gene was performed by the polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Serum resistin and insulin were measured by immunoassay. Blood glucose levels and lipid profile were measured by enzymatic methods. Homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated. RESULT: GG genotype and G allele of SNP-420C > G were more frequent in GDM patients compared to non-GDM subjects. Serum resistin level was similar in GDM and non-GDM patients. The serum levels of resistin in GDM and non-GDM women with GG genotype were similar to those with GC + CC genotype. Multivariate logistic regression analysis after adjusting for confounding factors showed a higher susceptibility to GDM in patients with GG genotype compared to subjects with GG + GT genotype (odds ratio = 4.59, 95% CI; 1.96-10.71, p = 0.00). Serum resistin level was correlated with serum triglyceride, total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (p < 0.05) in GDM patients. No significant association was found between serum resistin, insulin resistance, and SNP-420C > G. CONCLUSION: The SNP-420C/G of resistin gene is associated with genetic susceptibility to GDM in our population. Further studies are necessary to confirm the role of this polymorphism in pathogenesis of GDM and to explore potential mechanisms by which it modulates susceptibility to GDM.