The Variants in ADIPOQ are Associated with Maternal Circulating Adipokine Profile in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common association with hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance during pregnancy. The adipokines play an important to control insulin secretion and glucose. This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal circulating adipokine levels and ADIPOQ gene polymorphism among pregnant women subjects with GDM and normal glucose tolerance (NGT). METHODS: Participants including 229 normal pregnant women and 197 GDM pregnant women were enrolled from 2015 to 2018 at Siriraj hospital. Serum adipokine levels including adiponectin, adipsin/factor D, NGAL/Lipocalin-2, total PAI-1, and resistin were measured by immunoassay. ADIPOQ variations were investigated including −11377C/G (rs266729), +45T/G (rs2241766), and +276G/T (rs1501299). RESULTS: Serum adiponectin concentration was also significantly decreased among the GDM who had aged less than 35 years old whereas adipsin levels were significantly lower among the GDM who had aged more than 35 years old. Also, adiponectin and total PAI-1 levels were significantly lower among the GDM who had a BMI of less than 30 kg/m(2). The G allele frequency of ADIPOQ +45T/G was significantly different between GDM and controls (p = 0.03). ADIPOQ +45T/G was associated with an increased risk of GDM (odds ratio [OR]: 1.554; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.010–2.390; p=0.045). The −11377C/G was affected by the level of adiponectin (p = 0.04). The C allele of −11377C/G SNP declined serum adiponectin levels and may be a risk factor for GDM. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that genetics play important roles in circulating adipokines among pregnant women. ADIPOQ polymorphisms had significant associations with adiponectin levels in GDM patients.