Correlation of Blood Glucose and Pancreatic Islet Function with Serum Retinol-Binding Protein 4, Serum Cystatin C, and Human New Satiety Molecule Protein-1 in Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation of blood glucose and islet function with serum retinol-binding protein 4, serum cystatin C, and nesfatin-1 levels in women with gestational diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Between June 2018 and June 2020, 70 patients with gestational diabetes mellitus were included in a study group and 70 healthy pregnant women were recruited into a healthy group. Alterations in fasting blood glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting serum insulin (FINS), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), serum retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), serum cystatin C (CysC), and nesfatin-1 of all eligible participants were analyzed, and the occurrence of complications was recorded. Correlation analysis of serum RBP4, serum CysC, and nesfatin-1 levels with blood glucose and islet function in women with gestational diabetes mellitus was performed. RESULTS: Gestational diabetes mellitus was associated with significantly higher levels of FPG, HbA1c, and HOMA-IR and lower levels of FINS (6.58 ± 1.41, 9.24 ± 1.09, 3.21 ± 2.03, 8.23 ± 2.21) versus a healthy condition (5.23 ± 0.85, 7.61 ± 0.67, 2.42 ± 1.14, 10.54 ± 2.15) (P < 0.05). Women with gestational diabetes mellitus showed significantly higher levels of serum RBP4, serum CysC, and nesfatin-1 (62.45 ± 7.86, 1.95 ± 0.59, 2.65 ± 0.49) versus healthy pregnant women (45.48 ± 6.15, 1.03 ± 0.67, 1.42 ± 0.62) (P < 0.05). With serum RBP4, serum CysC, and nesfatin-1 as dependent variables, univariate correlation analysis showed that serum RBP4, serum CysC, and nesfatin-1 levels were positively correlated with FPG and HbA1c levels and HOMA-IR, and negatively correlated with FINS in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (P < 0.05). Gestational diabetes mellitus resulted in a significantly higher incidence of preterm delivery, cesarean section, excess amniotic fluid, and premature rupture of membranes versus a healthy status (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Glucose metabolism and islet function in women with gestational diabetes are significantly correlated with serum RBP4, serum CysC, and nesfatin-1 levels, which shows great potential for the prevention and treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus and perinatal complications.