Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Adiponectin and human pregnancy

  • Published:
Current Diabetes Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Adiponectin is an adipose tissue-derived plasma protein that is involved in regulation of insulin resistance and glucose hemostasis. Human pregnancy is characterized by an increase in insulin resistance. Therefore, it is only natural that the role of adiponectin, a modulator of insulin resistance, is subject to investigation during gestation. Furthermore, conditions associated with increased insulin resistance, such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, may be influenced by this hormone. Adiponectin, a key modulator of insulin action and glucose metabolism, both known to regulate fetal growth, is a plausible candidate for regulation of intrauterine fetal development. In this review, we summarize the recent studies describing the relationship between adiponectin, pregnancy, and fetal growth.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References and Recommended Reading

  1. Friedman JM: Obesity in the new millennium. Nature 2000, 404:632–634.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Hotamisligil GS: The role of TNFalpha and TNF receptors in obesity and insulin resistance. J Intern Med 1999, 245:621–625.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Steppan CM, Bailey ST, Bhat S, et al.: The hormone resistin links obesity to diabetes. Nature 2001, 409:307–312.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Scherer PE, Williams S, Fogliano M, et al.: A novel serum protein similar to C1q, produced exclusively in adipocytes. J Biol Chem 1995, 270:26746–26749.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Maeda K, Okubo K, Shimomura I, et al.: cDNA cloning and expression of a novel adipose specific collagen-like factor, apM1 (adipose most abundant gene transcript 1). Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1996, 221:286–289.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Hu E, Liang P, Spiegelman BM: AdipoQ is a novel adiposespecific gene dysregulated in obesity. J Biol Chem 1996, 271:10697–10703.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Nakano Y, Tobe T, Choi-Miura NH, et al.: Isolation and characterization of GBP28, a novel gelatin-binding protein purified from human plasma. J Biochem (Tokyo) 1996, 120:803–812.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Arita Y, Kihara S, Ouchi N, et al.: Paradoxical decrease of an adipose-specific protein, adiponectin, in obesity. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1999, 257:79–83.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Statnick MA, Beavers LS, Conner LJ, et al.: Decreased expression of apM1 in omental and subcutaneous adipose tissue of humans with type 2 diabetes. Int J Exp Diabetes Res 2000, 1:81–88.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Yang WS, Lee WJ, Funahashi T, et al.: Weight reduction increases plasma levels of an adipose-derived antiinflammatory protein, adiponectin. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2001, 86:3815–3819.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Esposito K, Pontillo A, Di Palo C, et al.: Effect of weight loss and lifestyle changes on vascular inflammatory markers in obese women: a randomized trial. J Am Med Assoc 2003, 289:1799–1804.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Ouchi N, Kihara S, Arita Y, et al.: Novel modulator for endothelial adhesion molecules: adipocyte-derived plasma protein adiponectin. Circulation 2003, 100:2473–2476.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Okamoto Y, Arita Y, Nishida M, et al.: An adipocyte-derived plasma protein, adiponectin, adheres to injured vascular walls. Horm Metab Res 2000, 32:47–50.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Ouchi N, Kihara S, Arita Y, et al.: Adiponectin, an adipocytederived plasma protein, inhibits endothelial NF-kappaB signaling through a cAMP-dependent pathway. Circulation 2000, 102:1296–1301.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Yokota T, Oritani K, Takahashi I, et al.: Adiponectin, a new member of the family of soluble defense collagens, negatively regulates the growth of myelomonocytic progenitors and the functions of macrophages. Blood 2000, 96:1723–1732.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Hotta K, Funahashi T, Arita Y, et al.: Plasma concentrations of a novel, adipose-specific protein, adiponectin, in type 2 diabetic patients. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2000, 20:1595–1599.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Weyer C, Funahashi T, Tanaka S, et al.: Hypoadiponectinemia in obesity and type 2 diabetes: close association with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2001, 86:1930–1935.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Kissebah AH, Sonnenberg GE, Myklebust J, et al.: Quantitative trait loci on chromosomes 3 and 17 influence phenotypes of the metabolic syndrome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2000, 97:14478–14483.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Hara K, Boutin P, Mori Y, et al.: Genetic variation in the gene encoding adiponectin is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in the Japanese population. Diabetes 2002, 51:536–540.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Berg AH, Combs TP, Du X, et al.: The adipocyte-secreted protein Acrp30 enhances hepatic insulin action. Nat Med 2001, 7:947–953.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Fruebis J, Tsao TS, Javorschi S, et al.: Proteolytic cleavage product of 30-kDa adipocyte complement-related protein increases fatty acid oxidation in muscle and causes weight loss in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2001, 98:2005–2010.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Naruse K, Yamasaki M, Umekage H, et al.: Peripheral blood concentrations of adiponectin, an adipocyte-specific plasma protein, in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia. J Reprod Immunol 2005, 65:65–75.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Cseh K, Baranyi E, Melczer Z, et al.: Plasma adiponectin and pregnancy-induced insulin resistance. Diabetes Care 2004, 27:274–275.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Sivan E, Mazaki-Tovi S, Pariente C, et al.: Adiponectin in human cord blood: relation to fetal birth weight and gender. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2003, 88:5656–5660. First description of high levels of adiponectin in cord blood and positive correlation with birth weight. The study proposes several mechanisms for the connection between adiponectin and fetal growth.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Chan TF, Yuan SS, Chen HS, et al.: Correlations between umbilical and maternal serum adiponectin levels and neonatal birthweights. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2004, 83:165–169.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Lopez-Bermejo A, Fernandez-Real JM, Garrido E, et al.: Maternal soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor type 2 (sTNFR2) and adiponectin are both related to blood pressure during gestation and infant’s birthweight. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2004, 61:544–552.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Retnakaran R, Hanley AJ, Raif N, et al.: Hypoadiponectinaemia in South Asian women during pregnancy: evidence of ethnic variation in adiponectin concentration. Diabet Med 2004, 21:388–392.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Williams MA, Qiu C, Muy-Rivera M, et al.: Plasma adiponectin concentrations in early pregnancy and subsequent risk of gestational diabetes mellitus. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2004, 89:2306–2311. Prospective study that found for the first time that hypoadiponectemia in early pregnancy can predict the development of GDM later in gestation.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Combs TP, Berg AH, Rajala MW, et al.: Sexual differentiation, pregnancy, calorie restriction, and aging affect the adipocyte-specific secretory protein adiponectin. Diabetes 2003, 52:268–276. A well-designed study that intended to determine whether hormonal and metabolic changes, including pregnancy, affect adiponectin levels in mice.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Gavrila A, Chan JL, Yiannakouris N, et al.: Serum adiponectin levels are inversely associated with overall and central fat distribution but are not directly regulated by acute fasting or leptin administration in humans: cross-sectional and interventional studies. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2003, 88:4823–4831.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Eden Engstrom B, Burman P, Holdstock C, et al.: Effects of growth hormone (GH) on ghrelin, leptin, and adiponectin in GHdeficient patients. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2003, 88:5193–5198.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Combs TP, Pajvani UB, Berg AH, et al.: A transgenic mouse with a deletion in the collagenous domain of adiponectin displays elevated circulating adiponectin and improved insulin sensitivity. Endocrinology 2004, 145:367–383.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Page ST, Herbst KL, Amory JK, et al.: Testosterone administration suppresses adiponectin levels in men. J Androl 2005, 26:85–92.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Panidis D, Kourtis A, Farmakiotis D, et al.: Serum adiponectin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Hum Reprod 2003, 18:1790–1796.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Worda C, Leipold H, Gruber C, et al.: Decreased plasma adiponectin concentrations in women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2004, 191:2120–2124.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Ranheim T, Haugen F, Staff AC, et al.: Adiponectin is reduced in gestational diabetes mellitus in normal weight women. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2004, 83:341–347.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Retnakaran R, Hanley AJ, Raif N, et al.: Reduced adiponectin concentration in women with gestational diabetes: a potential factor in progression to type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2004, 27:799–800.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Ramsay JE, Jamieson N, Greer IA, et al.: Paradoxical elevation in adiponectin concentrations in women with preeclampsia. Hypertension 2003, 42:891–894.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Shinohara K, Wakatsuki A, Watanabe K, et al.: Plasma adiponectin concentrations in women with preeclampsia. Hypertension 2004, 43:e17.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Lindsay RS, Walker JD, Havel PJ, et al.: Adiponectin is present in cord blood but is unrelated to birth weight. Diabetes Care 2003, 26:2244–229.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Kajantie E, Hytinantti T, Hovi P, et al.: Corplasma adiponectin: a 20-fold rise between 24 weeks gestation and term. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2004, 89:4031–4036. Describes adiponectin levels in preterm newborns and the correlation between prematurity-associated morbidity and adiponectin.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Kamoda T, Saitoh H, Saito M, et al.: Serum adiponectin concentrations in newborn infants in early postnatal life. Pediatr Res 2004, 56:690–693.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Tsai PJ, Yu CH, Hsu SP, et al.: Cord plasma concentrations of adiponectin and leptin in healthy term neonates: positive correlation with birthweight and neonatal adiposity. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2004, 61:88–93.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Pardo IM, Geloneze B, Tambascia MA, et al.: Hyperadiponectinemia in newborns: relationship with leptin levels and birth weight. Obes Res 2004, 12:521–524.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Corbetta S, Bulfamante G, Cortelazzi D, et al.: Adiponectin expression in human fetal tissues during mid- and late gestation. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2005, 90:2397–2402. First description of extra-adipose tissue expression of adiponectin in fetuses.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Motoshima H, Wu X, Sinha MK, et al.: Differential regulation of adiponectin secretion from cultured human omental and subcutaneous adipocytes: effects of insulin and rosiglitazone. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2002, 87:5662–5667.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Yamauchi T, Kamon J, Ito Y, et al.: Cloning of adiponectin receptors that mediate antidiabetic metabolic effects. Nature 2003, 423:762–769. Adiponectin receptors were characterized in this study. The description, as well as the distribution of these receptors, including those in the placenta, was thoroughly investigated.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 52621, Tel-Hashomer, Israel

    Eyal Sivan MD

Authors
  1. Shali Mazaki-Tovi MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hannah Kanety PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Eyal Sivan MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mazaki-Tovi, S., Kanety, H. & Sivan, E. Adiponectin and human pregnancy. Curr Diab Rep 5, 278–281 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-005-0023-2

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-005-0023-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation