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Leptin and soluble leptin receptor in association with gestational diabetes: a prospective case–control study

  • Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To assess the association of serum leptin and its receptor (SLeptinR) with the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to evaluate the longitudinal circulation of these peptides in pregnancy.

Methods

This study consisted of 53 subjects diagnosed with GDM and 43 normal glucose tolerance (NGT) pregnant women. Serum leptin and SLeptinR were measured at 24–28 weeks, prior and after delivery, and post-puerperium.

Results

Lower levels of leptin and SLeptinR were observed in GDM compared to NGT. Leptin [OR 0.97 (95% CI 0.94–1.0)] and SLeptinR [OR 0.86 (95% CI 0.79–0.93]) were inversely associated with GDM. Participants in the lowest tertile for leptin and SLeptinR had a 2.8-fold (95% CI 1.0–7.6) and a 5.7-fold (95% CI 1.9–17.3) higher risk of developing GDM compared with the highest tertile, respectively. These relationships were attenuated after adjustment for covariates. In both the groups, peak leptin was observed at 24–28 weeks, decreasing continuously during pregnancy (p > 0.05) and after delivery (p < 0.017). SLeptinR level increased (p < 0.001) during pregnancy and decreased (p < 0.005) after delivery in GDM, however, levels remained the same in NGT. In GDM, leptin and SLeptinR was positively and inversely correlated with BMI and HOMA-IR at 24–28 weeks and post-puerperium, respectively. The cord levels of both leptin and SLeptinR were lower than maternal levels. There were no significant differences in serum cord leptin and SLeptinR levels between the groups.

Conclusion

Leptin and SLeptinR are independently and inversely associated with GDM. Lower levels of these peptides may play an important role in the pathophysiology of GDM and pre-diabetic state in post-puerperium.

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Abbreviations

GDM:

Gestational diabetes mellitus

NGT:

Normal glucose test

BMI:

Body mass index

SLeptinR:

Soluble leptin receptor

OR:

Odd ratio

OGTT:

Oral glucose tolerance test

pGDM:

Previous GDM

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Acknowledgements

We greatly acknowledge the contributions of the research staff and women who participated in this study.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Maryam Mosavat and Siti Zawiah Omar are responsible equally for this project and should be considered as the correspondence authors.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Maryam Mosavat, Siti Zawiah Omar & Tan Peng Chiong

  2. Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Muhammad Fazril Mohamad Razif

  3. Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Pavai Sthaneshwar

Authors
  1. Maryam Mosavat
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  2. Siti Zawiah Omar
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  3. Tan Peng Chiong
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  4. Muhammad Fazril Mohamad Razif
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  5. Pavai Sthaneshwar
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Contributions

All the persons who meet the authorship criteria are listed as authors. Specific contributions by each author: Conception, design, and funding of study: Professor Siti Zawiah Omar and Professor Peng Chiong Tan. Data collection, data analysis, interpretation of data and drafting the manuscript: Maryam Mosavat. Revising the manuscript: Professor Siti Zawiah Omar, Associated Professor Pavai Sthaneshwar and Dr. Muhammad FM Razif.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Maryam Mosavat or Siti Zawiah Omar.

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Funding

This study was funded by Ministry of Higher Education, University Malaya (UM.C/625/1/HIR/MOHE/MED/28 Account no. H20001-00-E000066).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest. Authors have full control of all the primary data. They have agreed to allow the journal to review the data, upon request.

Ethical approval

All the human samples and clinical data were handled in accordance with the ethical standards of the Medical Ethics Committee-University Malaya Medical Center (Ethics Committee Reference No.: 1052.8) and International Conference on Harmonization (ICH-GCP) and Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent was obtained from all the individuals included in the study.

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Mosavat, M., Omar, S.Z., Tan, P.C. et al. Leptin and soluble leptin receptor in association with gestational diabetes: a prospective case–control study. Arch Gynecol Obstet 297, 797–803 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-017-4617-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-017-4617-0

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